Wilmington Construction and Tips for Driving through a Work Zone

Traffic in Wilmington is about to get a whole lot worse. Not only is summer right around the corner—and with it, the hordes of tourists that we welcome to our fair city—but Wilmington is also in the process of undergoing some major construction in order to support our growing year-round population. Here is a just a recent round up of upcoming construction projects you may be running into soon:



• On April 6, the city’s planning commission voted to recommend rezoning 4.4 acres at 3701 S. College Road in order to accommodate a 19,000-square-foot grocery store (yes, we’re getting an Aldi!), which is scheduled to open in summer 2017.
• Sunset Beach officials say a project to widen Main Street will begin on Apr. 11. According to officials, this project will include approximately 1.5 miles of bike lanes to improve the separation between pedestrians, bicyclists and vehicular traffic.
• The New Hanover County Commission unanimously approved to rezone land near the New Beginning Christian Church near Blue Clay Road. The proposal said the land will be used for a 46 lot single family performance residential sub-division.
• Leland’s diverging diamond project is still in progress. A Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) allows two directions of traffic to temporarily cross to the left side of the road. A DDI moves high volumes of traffic through an intersection without increasing the number of lanes and traffic signals. This movement provides easier access to an interstate.

While all these projects will eventually improve southeastern North Carolina’s infrastructure and traffic flow, the construction phase is never fun. Not only can it slow down your commute, but there are special work zone traffic laws you must be aware of in order to avoid tickets and keep the people around you safe.

If you find yourself driving through a work zone, it’s important to stay alert and be aware of your surroundings. Construction activity means anything can happen at any time, so drive slowly and be prepared for the unexpected. You should also allow ample space between your car and the one in front of you. Tailgating is extremely dangerous in work zones due to frequent stops.

Even if you follow all these laws and tips, mistakes can still happen—and in a work zone, the consequence of these mistakes can be hefty. In North Carolina, speeding in a construction zone will cost you an additional $250, plus court fees. It doesn’t even matter if workers are present—if the signs are posted, you must adhere to them. If you cause an accident and someone is injured or, God forbid, killed, then you will be responsible for that person’s injuries and could be charged with vehicular manslaughter.

If you find yourself facing a work zone traffic violation, you don’t have to face the consequences alone. At Mulligan Attorneys,, our Criminal and Traffic Defense team will stand up for you and make sure you receive a fair and just trial. Contact us today to discuss your options.