For years, residents of Wilmington have been eagerly awaiting the construction of a long-anticipated overpass. The intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway and Market Street is set to undergo a complete transformation. This junction, which connects two of the city's busiest thoroughfares, has long been a notorious site of significant traffic congestion. As the city and its surrounding areas continue to expand, various transportation projects are underway to address the increasing traffic volume.

Key Details About the Overpass Project

Construction Timeline

Construction of the intersection improvements is scheduled to commence in fall 2029 and is expected to take a remarkable five years to complete. Right-of-ways are projected to be acquired in 2028, as per the State Transportation Improvement Program. This means that it will be several years before drivers can actually utilize the overpass.During the new iteration of the intersection, a bridge will be constructed to allow traffic on Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway to flow smoothly over Market Street. The intersection will be transformed into a single-point urban interchange, featuring a two-phase signal light system for Market Street instead of the current eight phases. This change is expected to significantly improve traffic flow and reduce congestion.Beyond the intersection, a raised median will be installed along Market Street from College Road to Station Road. This will convert the stretch of Market Street into a divided highway, with breaks to accommodate left turns and U-turns. Sidewalks will also be maintained or added on both sides of Market Street within the project area, enhancing pedestrian safety and accessibility.The total funds required for the construction of this project amount to $55 million. Capital improvement projects included in the program are primarily funded through motor fuel and highway use taxes.A meeting to discuss the project is tentatively scheduled for May 2025. This meeting will play a crucial role in further determining the design of the improvements planned for Market Street.

Project History and Delays

The overhaul of this intersection was initially announced in 2017, with construction expected to begin in 2020. However, due to a lack of funding, the project has been delayed for several years. In 2017, alternative designs were presented to the public at a meeting. One of the options did not require a bridge, but members of the public present at the meeting overwhelmingly favored the single-point design, as it was believed to have minimal environmental and residential impact.The State Transportation Improvement Program, which oversees over 2,000 projects statewide, prioritizes projects based on several factors, including need and funding. Many large undertakings, such as the replacement of the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge, often experience shifts in prioritization based on the availability of funds.

Other Market Street Improvement Projects

The overpass is just one component of the North Carolina Department of Transportation's (NCDOT) long-term improvement plan for Market Street. In another project announced simultaneously with the overpass, the department aims to alleviate traffic and reduce crash rates by installing a raised median on the street. This median will cover Market Street from CSX Railroad to Cinema Drive and Jacksonville Street to College Road, as stated on NCDOT's website.This project was originally expected to start construction in 2021 and is estimated to cost $22,650,000. Currently, it does not have any funding allocated.In addition to the Market Street projects, NCDOT also plans to make improvements at the intersection of Oleander Drive and College Road. This intersection, which is one of the busiest in Wilmington, currently only has funding for preliminary engineering. The project still requires over $38 million in funding before construction can begin, according to the State Transportation Improvement Program.These various transportation projects on Market Street are part of NCDOT's efforts to enhance the city's transportation infrastructure and provide better connectivity for residents and commuters.