A public hearing in Jacksonville tonight discussed a new project aimed toward lessening traffic congestion by expanding the Jacksonville Parkway from Western Boulevard to U.S. 17 New Bern Highway.
According to NCDOT officials, this project is needed to combat the congestion on the roadway that is expected only to worsen as the city continues to grow and develop. NCDOT officials presented three options for how to proceed with the expansion project.
Each alternative includes an extension of Henderson Drive from the existing Henderson and Western Boulevard intersection, connecting to the Jacksonville Parkway extension.
Alternatives 2 and 3 are similar in that they both follow a path just north of Commons Drive and connect to the New Bern Highway south of Key Lane.
While alternative one proceeds further north, connecting to Ramsey road and following that path to the New Bern Highway.
NCDOT project manager Zachary Howard says that they will now examine the 3 routes based on what was said during public comment and sent in.
We collect that public input and we use that information to help select what alternative to use moving forward with our final design we would like to begin right away acquisition in the summer of 2027 so that’s when we’d start buying property to build the new road.
Tuesday’s meeting was just one way to make your voice heard on the project.
The comment period will continue until November 28th, and you can submit your thoughts online, in the mail, and more.