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 6^th, 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 15^th 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 15^th Street onto Van Norden Street. Turns onto 15^th 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 15^th Street into Midtown Crossing.
• Intersection Modifications at Pierce Street: A new traffic signal is proposed at Pierce Street and 15^th 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.

Project Maps

Map 1

Beginning of project at U.S. 17 to Washington Street

Map 2

North Pierce Street to Nicholson Street

Map 3

E. 14th Street/Holloman Street to End of Project at U.S. 264/Pactous Hwy/John Small Avenue

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:

*Costs shown are estimates and are subject to change.

Project Timeline:

*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

ext-aethorburn@ncdot.gov

1037 W.H. Smith Blvd

Greenville, NC 27834

PROJECT CONTACT INFORMATION 

James Byrd P.E.

Consultant Project Manager

HNTB

jabyrd@HNTB.com

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

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