OPERATION GRIDLOCK: Does ‘shortcut’ around College & Oleander actually save time?

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Operation Gridlock is trying to tackle traffic by testing out shortcuts around some of the most congested stretches of road in our area.

Our first test focuses on the busy intersection of Oleander Drive and S. College Road in Wilmington.

WWAY Weekend Anchor Hannah Patrick and StarNews reporter Hunter Ingram started at Mayfaire and ended in Monkey Junction at the Harris Teeter off of Carolina Beach Rd. during 5 p.m. rush hour traffic. They took two separate routes recommended by the Waze app.

Hunter turned left on Greenfield Loop Road. Then, took a left on Pine Grove Drive. That becomes Masonboro Loop Road. Then he took a left onto Carolina Beach Road to get to Harris Teeter.

Hannah kept going straight on Military Cutoff until it turned into Oleander Drive. Then she just had to make one a left turn onto College Road. That turn was the largest amount of time spent waiting, though.

The intersection of College and Oleander is considered the No. 1 hot spot for the fourth most congested stretch of road in the Wilmington area. On average, almost 48,000 cars drive it every single day.

So what happened in our test? Check out the video above to see.

This is not the only shortcut WWAY and the StarNews are working on for the most congested areas. Tune in to Good Morning Carolina Monday morning to see which road we are tackling next.

The StarNews will have a full story on local shortcuts and whether they will help your drive in its Nov. 27 edition.

And if you have possible shortcuts you’d like us to check out, e-mail Hannah at hpatrick@wwaytv3.com.