PROJECT UPDATE - JUNE 2026

Thank you to everyone that attended the Combined Public Hearing in October and/or provided comments. Responses to the comments can be found in the public hearing summary, here.

NCDOT met with federal and state agencies in February 2026 to determine the Least Environmentally Damaging Practicable  Alternative (LEDPA) from the three alternatives that were presented in the EA.  Alternative 3 (purple) has been selected as the LEDPA and will move forward as the selected alternative.

NCDOT is beginning the final design phase of the project and is continuing to look for ways to reduce impacts to both the environment and nearby communities. As part of this effort, the project alignment near U.S. 17 is being shifted to the north to help reduce impacts near Key Lane. The project team has also identified additional measures that could be taken to reduce impacts: 

• Reduction of the center median from 23 feet to 17.5 feet where possible along Jacksonville Parkway Extension and Henderson Drive to reduce impacts. 
• Relocation of U-turn bulb-outs to reduce impacts to wetlands. 
• Reduction of lane width and utilization of curb and gutter along Henderson Drive Extension to minimize impacts to wetlands and businesses. 
• Provision of direct access to Jacksonville Parkway Extension for Fire Station 4.
• Raising the height of the proposed bridge over Wolf Swamp to reduce wetland impacts. 
• Provision of access for properties near Drummer Kellum Road. 

Closeup of change to the selected alternative at New Bern Highway Connection

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The project proposes to extend Jacksonville Parkway (S.R. 2714) from Western Boulevard (N.C. 53) to U.S. 17 (New Bern Highway) in the City of Jacksonville, Onslow County. The first segment of Jacksonville Parkway (south of Western Boulevard) opened in 2013. The project length for U-5791 is approximately 4 miles. The Jacksonville Parkway extension (approximately 4 miles long) will serve as an important connector to Western Boulevard and U.S. 17, improving overall mobility in the area.

According to Jacksonville Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization’s (JUMPO) 2050 MTP, long-term goals for the area include congestion reduction, economic vitality, environmental sustainability, multimodal integration, safety and security, and system preservation.

Click here to view the completed State Environmental Assessment.

PUBLIC HEARING

The Combined Public Hearing was held on October 28, 2025 at Jacksonville Commons Elementary School.

The recorded version of the hearing is available for your viewing at this link.

A summary of the open house and public hearing can be reviewed using the following link: publicinput.com/Customer/File/Full/9fd361a3-8653-4d83-8be5-253d8c746f76

Selected Alternative

To view the Public Hearing Maps for the LEDPA, click on the links below.

             Alternative 3 (Preferred Alternative):   Maps:     1 of 2      |     2 of 2                                  

TRAFFIC AND LEVEL OF SERVICE

Traffic operations for the year 2050 indicate there is notable congestion during the peak hours particularly along Western Boulevard. Traffic along Western Boulevard is expected to increase 8-40% in the next 25 years. Traffic along U.S. 17 is expected to increase 31-101% during this same time period. While traffic operations along Ramsey Road do not indicate congested conditions at this time, traffic levels along Ramsey Road are expected to increase 77-106% over the next 25 years. This increase in traffic is expected to worsen traffic conditions along the roadways in the future and decrease Level of Service* (LOS) along the roadways.  

There are a few intersections along the Western Boulevard and U.S. 17 corridor that currently operate under congested conditions and “fair” to “poor” LOS at peak hours (AM or PM). LOS D (approaching unstable flow) is considered “fair” conditions. LOS E (unstable flow) and LOS F (breakdown in flow) are considered “poor” conditions. 

There are limited options for transportation access in this area of Jacksonville.

*The relationship of travel demand compared to the roadway capacity determines the Level of Service (LOS) of a roadway. Six Levels of Service identify the range of possible conditions. Designations range from LOS A, which represents the best operating conditions, to LOS F, which represents the worst operating conditions. 

The Jacksonville Urban Area MPO’s (JUMPO) 2050 Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) states that the Jacksonville Parkway Extension Project is an important connection needed to enhance mobility, improve accessibility, and provide an alternative connection to U.S. 17.

The primary purposes of the proposed project are to:

• Provide an alternate route to alleviate existing and future congestion along existing roadways

The project will help alleviate congestion along existing roadways by distributing vehicles to the alternative route.

• Provide an alternative route to enhance mobility along Western Boulevard and U.S. 17

The new location roadway will provide an alternative route for drivers to avoid congestion along existing roadways.​

NEXT STEPS

Additional coordination with regulatory and resource agencies will occur, and an anticipated Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) will be published. The LEDPA along with measures to reduce impacts will be presented in the FONSI expected to be completed in the summer/fall of 2026. 

NCDOT accepts comments throughout all planning, design and construction phases of project development.

Th official comment period for the Environmental Assessment closed on November 28, 2025.  All comments that were received during the comment period will be taken into consideration, and carry equal weight, regardless of submittal method.  

You may leave a comment or question on these pages

Or

Email the comment or question to Jacksonville-Parkway-Extension@PublicInput.com

Or

Phone Number (984) 205-6615  enter code 10888 to leave a message 

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.

If you are a relocatee; that is, if your residence or business is to be acquired as part of the project, additional assistance in the form of advice and compensation is available. You will also be provided with assistance regarding locations of comparable housing and/or commercial establishments, moving procedures and moving aid. Moving expenses may also as part of the process. Additional monetary compensation is available to help homeowners cope with mortgage increases, increased value of comparable homes and other such expenses. A similar program is available to assist business owners. The right-of-way agent can explain this assistance in greater detail.

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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Page last updated: June 9, 2026

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