15th Street Improvement Plan
How did we get here?
The 15th Street Improvement Project has roots back to the 2000 City of Washington Thoroughfare Plan, which identified 15th Street as a corridor in need of safety improvements. At the time, the proposal was simple: Add a center turn lane to reduce collisions and improve traffic flow.
In 2014, due to increased utility relocation costs, the project lost its original safety funding through the SPOT program and was moved into the State Transportation Improvement Program, or STIP, as a widening project.
2016 - 2017: Community Stops the First NCDOT Design
On August 11, 2016, a public meeting was held to provide information about the widening project and solicit input from the public. The initial design proposed by NCDOT did not incorporate sidewalks, crosswalks, or a multi-use path. Later that year, on December 16th, the Washington City Council voted to not move forward with NCDOT’s design.
On March 27, 2017, the Washington City Council again declined to adopt a resolution of support and voted to not approve a Utility Preliminary Engineering Agreement.
2020 – City of Washington Takes the Lead
At the urging of local residents, and recognizing 15th Street needed safety improvements and better accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists, the City of Washington decided to take a more community-driven approach. The City hired Stantec, a nationally respected engineering firm, and invested $75,000 to develop a new plan that prioritized safety, local character, and community input.
2020–2021 – Community-Backed Design Takes Shape
Stantec held a robust public engagement process with more than 600 residents participating through surveys, roundtables, and feedback sessions. Focus groups with emergency services, business owners and hospital staff were held. The result? A thoughtful, well-researched, and locally supported plan focused on safety, connectivity, and maintaining the character of the corridor. In September 2021, City Council unanimously approved the Stantec design. At this point, right of way acquisition had been scheduled to begin in 2029.
But instead of advancing it, the Mid East Commission Rural Planning Organization's (MERPO) Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) voted to halt it.
August 2022 – NCDOT Rejects the Stantec Plan
NCDOT rejected the Stantec plan in August 2022, stating it “would function very poorly.” No feasibility study was provided to the City.
2023–2025 – Widening Plan Resumes
On January 24, 2023, City leaders met with NCDOT to reopen discussions. The City Council agreed to continue moving forward with the NCDOT super street design—a four-lane divided highway with a 17-foot, 6-inch concrete median. It was agreed upon that an updated design proposal would incorporate the complete streets concepts from the Stantec design, including sidewalks, a multi-use path and cross walks. The timeline for right-of-way acquisition accelerates from 2029 to 2026.
In early 2024, the City executed the Utility Preliminary Engineering Agreement with NCDOT.
NCDOT has held monthly work sessions to move the project forward since January 2023. Only one City staff member, Hope Woolard (Director of Public Works), has been present—primarily to manage utility relocation, not design considerations.
2025 – Updated Design & Public Feedback Window
In January 2025, NCDOT issued a public notice announcing an updated design and a public input session. That meeting was held on February 6, with a formal public comment period closing on February 15. The turnout was strong, with residents and business owners voicing continued concern about safety, property loss, and the lack of community-aligned design principles.
In response to the public input received, NCDOT published an FAQ the week of May 12th to their site. This FAQ reflected 61 responses received with 88% of responses opposing the design or requesting design modifications.
On May 28, NCDOT published modified design maps eliminating the proposed signal at Van Norden Street and relocating the existing signal at Washington Street to Pierce Street.
On May 29, a public input Q&A forum was hosted at the Beaufort County Community College. This was coordinated by Rep. Keith Kidwell. A presentation was provided by NCDOT, followed by Q&A from the community members. The moderated panel included: Allison Thorburn (NCDOT Project Manager), Jonathan Russell (City Manager), Brian Alligood (RPO TCC Chairman), Sam Singleton (RPO Coordinator), Heather Lane (NCDOT Div. 2 Development Engineer) and Andrew Bell (HNTB Roadway Engineer Traffic Lead). This meeting was well attended by the community. Multiple residents expressed their concerns, asking thoughtful questions around traffic counts, pedestrian crossings, safety, business impacts and more. This meeting was live streamed and can be viewed here.
June: Project cost estimates rise to $48M. Coalition representatives met with City Manager Jonathan Russell and Councilwoman Lou Hodges to discuss the financial benefits of the infrastructure that would come with the project. Mr. Russell estimated $25M in improvements between stormwater, water and sewer would be made at no cost to the City. Betterments would be determined by the City Council over the next 24 months.
August: NCDOT met with the City of Washington Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem, and select City staff to discuss updates to the project.
November: NCDOT and the Federal Highway Administration deny the RPO's request to upgrade 15th Street from minor arterial to other principal arterial. By denying that upgrade, the state formally rejected the idea that 15th Street should function as a regional corridor.
On Dec. 16, NCDOT held its construction field meeting. Right of Way Aquisition is delayed to February 2026.
2026 - New Council + Mayor
January: Mayor Ellen Brabo provided public comment during the TAC meeting addressing the request to reclassify 15th Street and the denial provided by the State. In her remarks she emphasized that this project does not address safety and formally requested a meeting with NCDOT and the RPO.
On January 28th, Mayor Brabo, Councilman Perreault, the City of Washington Director of Public Works, City Electric Director, and the RPO Coordinator Sam Singleton met with representatives from the NCDOT Division 2 (Mary Beth Houston, Cadmus Capehart and Allison Thorburn).
NCDOT estimates 16 total relocations along the project corridor as a result of the Right of Way expansion. For a total relocation, the easement would have to physically touch the structure. What NCDOT deems a total loss versus what a resident or the City would deem a total loss differs.
The updated cost estimates for infrastructure were confirmed as follows:
- 1.8 miles of water line and 1.6 miles of sewer line = $5.4M
- New Stormwater Drainage = $5.8M
For a total of $11.2M in infrastructure improvements.
During this meeting, Mr. Cadmus did clarify the 17.5' median could not be modified because of how the project was funded. Because it was funded as a widening, and not as a retrofit, no rescoping can be completed.
At this time, Right of Way Acquisition has been further delayed to June 2026. A formal request was made for the signal timing at the intersection of 17 and 264 to be investigated for improvement.