The Wilmington Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (WMPO) and the city of Wilmington have been awarded the 2024 NCDOT Mobi Award in the Large Urban Category for their work on the Park Avenue Multiuse Trail Phase II.

According to a news release, "This project highlights the city of Wilmington’s commitment to providing safe, multimodal transportation options."

Completed in 2022, the 1-mile off-road multiuse trail links Empie Park to Kerr Avenue, featuring marked crosswalks, curb ramps, seven street crossings and two pedestrian bridges.

"As part of the River to Sea Bikeway, the trail follows the historic beach car line which connects Wilmington to Wrightsville Beach. It provides safe and accessible routes for residents to reach homes, businesses and the University of North Carolina Wilmington," according to the release.

The city of Wilmington secured Surface Transportation Block Grant funding through the WMPO in 2013 to support the project.

According to the release, "The Mobi Awards represent the N.C. Department of Transportation’s mission to leverage the state’s transportation infrastructure by celebrating transformative transportation projects across North Carolina. It highlights continued efforts to improve mobility, accessibility, and sustainability that ensures a strong economy and quality of life for future generations."

In the photo above from left to right are:  Landon Zimmer, Member-at-Large-Division 3, NCDOT; Trevor Carroll, Engineer-Division 3, NCDOT; Brennon Faqua, Director of Integrated Mobility Division, NCDOT; Anthony Geathers, Project Manager, City of Wilmington; Rachel McIntyre, Project Manager, City of Wilmington; Carolyn Caggia, Assoc. Transportation Planner & Go Coast Coordinator, WMPO; Mike Kozlosky, Executive Director, WMPO; Abby Lorenzo, Deputy Director, WMPO;  and Lisa Mathis, Board Member-Division 8, NCDOT.