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Resolution in Support of the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s South 16th Street Lane Reduction from Castle Street Through Queen Street
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Department: |
Engineering |
Meeting Date: |
1/6/2026 |
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Contact Name: |
Denys Vielkanowitz |
Public Hearing: |
No |
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Contact Phone: |
910-341-4676 |
Advertising Date/Advertised By: |
N/A |
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Attachments: |
Attachment #1: Resolution; Attachment #2: Project Overview Diagram; Attachment #3: Project Closeup Diagram; Attachment #4:16th/Castle Approach Photos; Attachment #5:16th/Castle Departure Photos; Attachment #6: 16th St. Midblock Photos; Attachment #7: Queen St. Intersection Photos |
PURPOSE:
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (“NCDOT”) is prepared to reduce the number of motor vehicle travel lanes along South 16th Street from three lanes to two lanes for a one-block segment from the intersection of Castle Street through Queen Street. While South 16th Street is a NCDOT-owned roadway, they have requested Wilmington City Council’s support of this lane reduction in the form of the attached resolution.
BACKGROUND:
City Traffic Engineering has received requests and concerns from residents, patrons, and business owners of the Cargo District regarding the desire for improvements to pedestrian safety and additional parking opportunities. Traffic Engineering has worked closely with NCDOT to develop modifications to the public road network and intersections that address these concerns, as reflected in this proposed project.
Modifications include permanent, raised concrete curb extensions at intersections, and new pedestrian signals and crosswalk markings at the signalized intersections of 16th and Castle Streets and 17th and Castle Streets. These modifications are consistent with the City of Wilmington’s Vision Zero strategies to eliminate fatal and serious injury crashes, frequently a consequence of crashes involving pedestrians. These modifications enhance roadway safety by reducing pedestrian exposure to roadways through shorter crossing distances and the installation of signalized pedestrian crossing infrastructure.
The modifications along 16th Street necessitate a proposed reduction in vehicle travel lanes. This proposal essentially extends the existing two-lane section of South 16th Street by one block, providing desirable hardscape and pedestrian improvements for the Castle Street and Queen Street intersections as well as additional protected on-street parking opportunities along South 16th Street. South 16th Street will return to three travel lanes south of Queen Street for the approach to the signalized intersection at Wooster Street.
budget
BUDGET IMPACT:
N/A
recommendation
RECOMMENDATION / ACTION REQUESTED:
Passage of the Resolution is recommended.