As Wilmington and the surrounding areas continue to grow in popularity, so does the demand for improvements to the area’s infrastructure.
 
While construction on projects like the Greenville Loop Trail, Greenville Loop Park and Wrightsville Beach Bridge Replacement causes short-term disruption, city leaders have said the end result will be well worth the temporary inconveniences.
 
“The city is committed to strengthening all modes of transportation, with a growing emphasis on walkability and bikeability,” said Amy Passaretti Willis, communications manager for the city of Wilmington. “Trail improvements are a key part of the city’s Vision Zero efforts, helping reduce conflicts between vehicles and non-motorized users and making our streets safer for everyone.” The construction of the Greenville Loop Trail, for example, was broken into phases to expedite project completion. The first phase is complete and runs along Holly Tree Road from College Road to the intersection with Pine Grove Drive.
 
A signalized pedestrian crossing at South College Road connects path users to the Central College Trail and the Gary Shell Cross City Trail, Willis said. Phase two, which runs from the intersection of Greenville Loop Road and Pine Grove Drive, is underway and is expected to wrap up this summer, she said.
 
“This phase includes a new traffic signal and signalized pedestrian crossing at Bradley Creek Elementary School,” Willis said. “The signals are already in place but not yet active.”
 
Construction on phase three will begin this summer and is set to be completed in early 2027, she said.
 
“This section runs from Old Military Road to Park Avenue and will include a pedestrian crossing at Oleander Drive,” Willis said. “The final phase will run along Pine Grove Drive from Greenville Loop Road to Holly Tree Road. This will be completed as part of the upcoming roundabout construction at the intersection of Greenville Loop Road and Pine Grove Drive. This work is slated to begin later this year.”
 
Much planning is involved.
 
“A common misconception with many of our projects is that they are just putting down asphalt or concrete in a straight line,” Willis said. “In reality, they are complex infrastructure projects that require extensive planning and coordination with state and federal agencies, utility companies and private property owners, well before construction begins.”
 
Another significant project currently underway is the improvement of Wrightsville Avenue.
 
“This project will close all sidewalk gaps along the 2.6-mile corridor between Independence Boulevard and Hawthorne Drive, creating a continuous, accessible route for walkers, cyclists and transit riders,” she said. “Key improvements include completing sidewalks and ADA-accessible crosswalks at all intersecting streets; adding signalized pedestrian crossings at College Road and at Hawthorne Drive; and constructing a roundabout at Wrightsville Avenue and Wallace Avenue to improve traffic flow.”
 
The project also includes new street lighting and a crosswalk to enhance both traffic efficiency and pedestrian safety. Once finished, the project will connect with the Gary Shell Cross-City Trail, link to the River-to-Sea Bike Route and provide access to six WAVE bus stops along the route, Willis said.
 
Additionally, the Masonboro Loop Trail “will be completed this summer (much of it is already open and walkable),” said Willis. “This 1.5-mile trail runs from Navajo Trail to Pine Grove Road and will include a HAWK (high-intensity activated crosswalk) pedestrian crossing near the fire station and shopping area.”
 
Additional trail project updates and plans are available on the city’s website at wilmingtonnc.gov/majorprojects.
 
Wrightsville Beach’s popular walking route, The Loop, could soon see changes.
 
“In addition to the beach and the Intracoastal Waterway, The Loop is one of the town’s most treasured amenities,” said town manager Haynes Brigman. “It is enjoyed by thousands of pedestrians each week and provides connectivity between key destinations, including the municipal complex, Wrightsville Beach Park, public beach access points and local business districts.”
 
He said the town is currently “identifying opportunities to enhance and strengthen The Loop as a long-term community asset.”
 
Brigman said The Loop is one of the considerations leading up to some major construction projects. Crews will soon embark on the replacement of three of Wrightsville Beach’s aging bridges.
 
“While the town does not have direct oversight of the bridge replacement projects, the North Carolina Department of Transportation has maintained a strong and collaborative partnership with the town throughout the planning process,” Brigman said. “Town staff have participated in both virtual and in-person coordination meetings, received regular project updates and contributed to construction planning discussions. We anticipate our involvement will continue to grow over the coming months as project details and timelines become more clearly defined.”
 
In the past, the town of Wrightsville Beach has made a concerted effort to prevent upheaval during the peak tourism season, keeping business disruptions to a minimum, he said.
 
“Early in the process, we established a Bridge Replacement Committee composed of key stakeholders and community partners, including residents, business owners and representatives from various agencies,” Brigman said. “In addition, we have engaged a transportation consultant to assess traffic impacts before, during and after construction, as well as an emergency management consultant to support public safety planning to ensure our community remains protected.”
 
He said that while temporary disruptions to portions of The Loop are likely to occur during construction, the town is evaluating options to preserve accessibility, including the potential implementation of a modified route.