Citizen input sought regarding proposed change to U.S. 17 | News

NEW HANOVER and BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WECT) – The North Carolina Department of Transportation is seeking input on a new proposal that would affect U.S. 17, according to a news release from an NCDOT spokesperson.

The DOT is considering designating U.S. 17 between U.S. 17 Business (Market Street) in New Hanover County and U.S. 74/76 in Brunswick County to be used for truck tractors with twin trailers, and officials are asking for input on the plan so that they can hold public hearings in Brunswick and New Hanover counties on the proposal.

State statutes allow for the proposed designation under the following conditions, the first two of which they have already met:

• A determination of the public convenience and need for the trucks;

• A traffic engineering study which clearly shows the road can safely accommodate and has sufficient capacity to handle twin trailers; and

• A public hearing or the opportunity for a public hearing is held in each county the route passes through.

If you would like a public hearing to be held, you can make a request via email or letter to Lisa N. Avery (lavery@ncdot.gov), Traffic Safety Project Engineer at 1561 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1561.

Letters must be received by March 22.

To learn more information about the proposed designation, Avery can be reached at (919) 773-2893.

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