South Front Street Road Widening Project #U-5734

FAST FACTS

NCDOT Project #: U-5734
Type: Roadway Widening
Project Length: .99 mile
Affected Counties: New Hanover
Condemning Authority: NCDOT
Estimated Affected Parcels: 31
Estimated Total Remaining Cost: $76,499,000
Right-of-Way Funds: $35,800,000

Yes, send me DOT project updates!

Description

NCDOT project #U-5734, the South Front Street Road Widening Project, proposes to reduce congestion and improve pedestrian safety and multi-modal access along a designated portion of South Front Street. The road widening will occur on South Front Street (US 421) from Cape Fear Memorial Bridge (US 17 Business/US 76/US 421) to Burnett Boulevard in Wilmington.

The proposed improvements would include:

Widening South Front Street (US 421) from a 2-lane roadway to a 4-lane median divided roadway
Adding a 10-foot-wide multi-use path on the east side of South Front Street
Converting the existing South Front Street, Burnett Boulevard and Carolina Beach Road intersection to a double quadrant intersection. This design will prohibit all left turns prompting left-turning vehicles to be rerouted to a connector road.

Here is a Project Flyover Visualization of the proposed project.

Because the project is close to the Wilmington Historic District, a National Register of Historic Places District, the proposed improvements are being designed to minimize potential impacts by shifting the roadway away from historic resources as much as possible.

Business and Homeowner Concerns

Residential and commercial property owners along the project path should prepare for the NCDOT’s eventual offer and for modifications and interruptions that are likely to follow. There may be surveyors and right-of-way agents analyzing area properties at any time. And, depending on what the NCDOT needs, there is potential for both homeowners and businesses to suffer significant losses of property.

Homeowners may find traffic uncomfortably close, their entry/exit paths altered, their yards drastically reduced, or even having their homes no longer conform to the county’s setback standards. Commercial properties may lose valuable parking, have modified entry/exit, or may also suffer from non-conformance after the taking.

There may also be construction easements taken that are “temporary,” which may, in fact, last for years. Property owners should also be extremely vigilant for damage via inverse condemnation. Affected property owners should work to ensure they are compensated fairly.

What to Do if Your Property Is Affected

The NCDOT can take your land, but you can still protect your rights. The government will set aside significant funds for right-of-way acquisition over the course of this project, but will do its best not to spend it all. Property owners in the path of the project will receive offers, but if they accept that initial offer, they are probably leaving money on the table.

You have the right to just compensation. The NCDOT’s initial offer is just the beginning – as long as you do not accept it. We can help you fight for more. Call 1-877-393-4990 or contact us as soon as possible for a complimentary case evaluation.

We do not earn a fee unless we increase the government’s offer, and our fee only comes from the increased amount – this is our no-fee guarantee. The initial offer is entirely yours. Further, we front the costs of fighting your case, and if we’re unable to increase the government’s offer to you, you don’t pay them. We do. That is how confident we are that we can assist you if we take your case.

News and Publications

Starnewsonline: Three Things to Know about a Wilmington intersection improvement plant

Project Maps

Estimated Project Schedule

Right of Way – began in 2025 and may continue through 2028
Construction – The 2026-2035 State Transportation Improvement Program reflects a projected construction schedule date of 2029.

We will update these dates when the NCDOT provides updates.

Affected Parcels

It is estimated that 31 properties in New Hanover County will be impacted by NCDOT Project #U-5734 on US 421 (South Front Street). The project will include a budget of $35,800,000 for right-of-way takings.

Whether your property is residential or commercial in nature, it is critical to understand that the government’s initial offer is just that – initial. We do not recommend you accept the initial offer. Call us at 1-877-393-4990 or contact us online as soon as possible for a free case evaluation.

Get a free case
evaluation today.

There are only a handful of attorneys in NC who practice eminent domain exclusively, and even fewer with NCDOT experience. We have six. That’s why it’s worth getting in touch with us for a free case evaluation.

Here’s how it works:

1) Tell us about your situation.

2) We research your property as needed, using DOT maps, our own technology, and experience to see the exact effects.

3) We will give you our professional evaluation of your legal situation and recommend next steps. This evaluation is free, and there’s no pressure or obligation to hire us after.

But please don’t wait to act. Waiting can hurt your case, and the cost is the same: free.

1-877-393-4990

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