U-5792: N.C. 132 (College Road) and MLK Jr. Parkway, Wilmington
U-5792: N.C. 132 (College Road) and MLK Jr. Parkway, Wilmington
The N.C. Department of Transportation is proposing to convert the at-grade intersection of N.C. 132 (College Road) and U.S. 74 (Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway) into an interchange in Wilmington, New Hanover County.
This site is intended for information review and comment / question collection for this project.
For more information please visit: https://www.ncdot.gov/projects/us-117-nc-132-mlk-parkway/Pages/default.aspx
An open house public meeting was held January 29, 2026 from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the UNCW Burney Center, Ballroom A, Union Dr, Wilmington, NC 28403.
Project Overview
The N.C. Department of Transportation is proposing to make improvements to U.S. 117 / College Road in Wilmington. The improvements are planned between U.S. 17 Business (Market Street) and south of Gordon Road (S.R. 2048). The project proposes to convert the current at-grade intersection of U.S. 117 / College Road and U.S. 74 (Martin Luther King Jr Parkway) to a grade-separated interchange.
The project as proposed includes:
- A flyover bridge to connect vehicles traveling eastbound on Martin Luther King Jr Parkway to northbound College Road
- Widening College Road from the existing two-lane section to a three-lane section in each direction from Market Street to south of Gordon Road
- Additional grade-separated interchange improvements along College Road at the intersections of College Road and Ringo Drive, and Kings Drive.
The purpose of the proposed project is to reduce congestion and address delays along College Road. The 2024 annual average daily traffic (AADT) along College Road, between Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway and Spring View Drive, is 54,400 vehicles per day (vpd) This volume will grow to 88,900 vpd in 2045.
Project History
In 2018, the N.C. Department of Transportation proposed improvements to the intersection at College Road (U.S. 117/N.C. 132) and Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway (U.S. 74) including converting the intersection to an interchange.
In 2022, the project was expanded to include additional improvements to College Road. The current NCDOT 2026-2035 State Transportation Improvement Program, or STIP, includes the following upgrades on College Road from Market Street to Gordon Road.
In May of 2025, the project design was revised to incorporate additional improvements as warranted by an updated traffic forecast in 2024.
Project Map 1
Project Map 2
Southbound College Road
(Southbound College Road approaching Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway)
Eastbound Martin Luther King Jr. to Northbound College Road
(Proposed Flyover from Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway to College Road)
Typical Section 1
Market Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway
Typical Section 2
College Road & Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway Overpass
Typical Section 3
North of Kings Drive
Project Funding:
Activity | Estimated Cost* |
| Project Development & Design | $ 6 Million |
| Right-of-Way Acquisition | $ 37.9 Million |
| Utility Relocation | $ 2.7 Million |
| Construction | $ 241.9 Million |
| Total Cost | $ 288.5 Million |
| *Costs shown are estimates and are subject to change. |
Project Timeline:
Milestone | Anticipated Date* |
| Public Meeting 1- Multiple Alternatives | June 2018 |
| Alternative Selection | May 2025 |
| Public Meeting 2-Selected Alternative | January 2026 |
| Environmental Document Complete | Spring 2026 |
| Right of Way Acquisition Begins | Summer 2026 |
| Construction | Summer 2029 |
*Future dates subject to change
Comments/Questions
NCDOT accepts comments throughout all phases of project development.
The public comment period following the public meeting closed on Mar. 2, 2026.
The public is encouraged to leave comments using the project email or phone number.
Email:CollegeRd-MLKJr-Interchange@PublicInput.com
Phone number: 512-580-8850 enter project code 2296
___________________________________________________________________________
All comments received carry equal weight, regardless of submission method.
All comments will be reviewed and suggestions/recommendations incorporated into designs where feasible.
For the latest project information please visit NCDOT Webpage.
(https://www.ncdot.gov/projects/us-117-nc-132-mlk-parkway/Pages/default.aspx)
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-Form
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
Page Last Updated - February 13, 2026