U-5860:15th Street Widening - Washington
U-5860:15th Street Widening - Washington
The N.C. Department of Transportation proposes improvements to 15th Street from U.S. 17 Business to U.S. 264 in Washington, Beaufort County
This page is intended to provide information and gather comments for this project. For additional information please visit the NCDOT webpage:
https://www.ncdot.gov/projects/15th-street/Pages/default.aspx
Interactive Study Area Map:
Project Overview
The N.C. Department of Transportation proposes to improve 15th Street between U.S. 17 Business (Carolina Avenue) and U.S. 264 (Pactolus Highway) in Washington. The project is needed to reduce congestion during peak service hours and improve safety along 15th Street from U.S. 17 Business to U.S. 264 for all users. The project will enhance 15th Street, reduce congestion, improve safety, and provide a complete street for all users.
The proposed typical section along the corridor includes:
four 11-foot wide travel lanes
a 17.5 foot wide median
curb and gutter
a 5-foot sidewalk on the north side of 15th Street
a 10-foot multi-use path on the south side of 15th Street
on 12th Street between 15th Street's end at E. Brown Street, and the end of the project, at U.S. 264 this amenity is not included
Traffic will be maintained throughout construction using the phased construction approach. This approach will minimize disruptions and ensure continuous access for residents and businesses.
To view or download a copy of the traffic crash analysis, click here.
Project History
2015: Planning and design for the U-5860 project began and progressed to preliminary plans in 2016.
A Public Meeting was held on August 11, 2016, providing the community with information, and inviting public input. During a 30-day comment period ending on August 24, 2016, feedback, primarily focused on considerations related to the median, access, drainage, right-of-way, and safety for both vehicles and bicyclists/pedestrians was received.
In December 2016, the Washington City Council unanimously voted not to proceed with the initial design proposal shared by NCDOT, pausing the project to address local concerns and ensure stronger community alignment.
2023: Since the project restart in 2023, NCDOT has been collaborating closely with the City of Washington to address project needs and incorporate design refinements that address previous feedback received.
2025: A public meeting was held on February 6, 2025 to present updated project information, revised designs, and gather additional input from the community. The project design was updated from the 2016 design to address community feedback, with several improvements included.
Lane widths have been adjusted to 11 feet to minimize the roadway footprint and reduce impacts
Some sections of the previously proposed concrete median have been removed and left turns and U-turns will be incorporated based on traffic needs.
A multi-use path, sidewalks, and crosswalks are being added to enhance bicycle and pedestrian safety. The locations for crosswalks, ADA-compliant median cut-throughs, and pedestrian signals will be determined as the design progresses and incorporates ongoing public input.
The project is intended to enhance safety and improve traffic flow, and the proposed median plays an important role in meeting these goals.
To view or download a copy of the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and NCDOT responses to public comments, click here or see below:
Project Updates
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), in coordination with the City of Washington, continues to advance the design for STIP Project U-5860.
Feedback received during the February 6th, 2025 Public Meeting has been reviewed and design updates incorporated to further enhance safety, mobility, and access along the corridor.
Design updates and other changes to the Public Meeting Maps since February include:
- Incorporation of Latest Aerial Imagery: Updated aerial imagery has been added to the project maps shared at the public meeting to provide a more accurate depiction of existing conditions.
- Permanent Utility Easements (PUEs): PUEs have been included in the design based on utility relocation needs for both dry and wet utilities to support long-term maintenance and operations. Infrastructure improvements to City of Washington utilities will be constructed as part of the project at no cost to the City.
- Intersection Modifications at Van Norden Street: The previously proposed traffic signal at Van Norden Street and 15th Street shown on the February 2025 Public Meeting Maps has been removed, based on updated traffic signal recommendations. Left turn lanes are proposed on both eastbound and westbound 15th Street onto Van Norden Street. Turns onto 15th Street from Van Norden Street will be right turn only.
- Intersection Modifications at Washington Street: As part of the updated traffic signal recommendations, the traffic signal currently located at Washington Street will be relocated to Pierce Street to improve operational efficiency and optimize turning movements. A left turn lane is proposed from eastbound 15th Street into Midtown Crossing.
- Intersection Modifications at Pierce Street: A new traffic signal is proposed at Pierce Street and 15th Street. At the intersection of Pierce Street and 15th Street, a through-movement/right-turn lane and a dedicated left-turn lane have been added to improve operational efficiency and reduce congestion during peak travel times. The proposed Pierce Street traffic signal also provides a safe crossing for pedestrians.
These refinements reflect the continued collaboration between NCDOT, the City of Washington, and the local community to ensure the final design meets transportation goals while addressing local concerns.
Project Fly-Through Video
This video was created in February 2025 as a supplement to the preliminary design plans. It does not include all elements of the design.
Every effort has been made to portray the design accurately however, it may not reflect final design.
Traffic shown does not represent actual traffic conditions.
Typical Sections
Typical Section on 15th Street
Between Start of Project at U.S. 17 and E. Brown Street
Typical Section on 12th Street
Between E. Brown Street and End of Project at U.S. 264
Project Funding:
Activity | Estimated Costs* |
Right of Way Acquisition | $ 8.9 Million |
Utility Relocation | $ 7.5 Million |
Construction | $ 22.2 Million |
Total Cost | $ 38.6 Million |
*Costs shown are estimates and are subject to change.
Project Timeline:
Activity | Date* |
Public Meeting | February 6, 2025 |
Environmental Document (State MCDC) | April 30, 2025 |
Open House Meeting | May 29, 2025 |
Right of Way Acquisition Begins | Summer 2025 |
Construction Begins | Summer 2028 |
*Future dates are preliminary and subject to change
Open House Public Meeting
Thursday, May 29, 2025 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Venue:
Beaufort Community College
Multi-Purpose Room 10
5337 US-264
Washington, NC 27889
No formal presentation will be made
Project Comments
NCDOT accepts comments throughout all phases of project development.
All comments will be taken into consideration, and carry equal weight, regardless of submittal method.
The public is encouraged to leave comments using this webpage, email, or phone number:
Email: 15th-street-improvements@publicinput.com
Phone Number: 984-205-6615 enter project code 10749 to leave a message
PROJECT CONTACT INFORMATION
Allison Thorburn P.E.
Project Manager
NCDOT Highway Division 2
1037 W.H. Smith Blvd
Greenville, NC 27834
PROJECT CONTACT INFORMATION
James Byrd P.E.
Consultant Project Manager
HNTB
4000 Center at North Hills Street, Suite 500
Raleigh, NC 27609
Title VI Feedback
To ensure we’re hearing from a broad set of voices, would you be willing to share (completely anonymously) some information about yourself?
If so, please click here https://publicinput.com/NCDOT-Title-VI
RESOURCES FOR PROPERTY OWNERS
Although the N.C. Department of Transportation works to minimize the number of homes and businesses displaced by a road project, it is inevitable, in many cases, that a certain amount of private property is needed. The following information explains right of way acquisition and answers questions about the process.
Right-of-Way Brochure Single Page Layout Folleto del Proceso de Adquisición de Bienes Raíces
Right-of-Way Frequently Asked Questions
Right of way Acquisition Process Videos