The U.S. 17 Washington Bypass will be constructed to relieve traffic congestion on existing U.S. 17 once it is open to traffic. The project will include additions that will improve access to areas in eastern North Carolina.

The N.C. Department of Transportation began constructing the new U.S. 17 Washington Bypass in March 2007. The 6.8-mile project will stretch from Price Road (State Road 1149) to Springs Road (State Road 1509) in Beaufort County.

In March, crews will begin working primarily on the bridges over U.S. 264 and 15th Street. However, motorists can expect some work at other locations. Motorists can also expect lane closures, detours and traffic shifts

The $192 million project was awarded to FLATIRON/UNITED A Joint Venture and is expected to be completed in November 2010.

The U.S. 17 Washington Bypass is Beaufort County’s first design-build project. Design-build reduces a project’s design and construction time by contracting a single firm to simultaneously design and construct the project.