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State finalizes $8.9 million contract to fix notorious Cape Carteret traffic bottleneck

Drivers heading through Cape Carteret can weigh in on a major upcoming construction project next week.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation is holding a public meeting on Tuesday, August 18th, to address severe bottleneck gridlock at NC 24 and NC 58. Local traffic volumes have steadily worsened due to rapid regional population growth, further aggravated by seasonal surges of beach tourism near the Emerald Isle Bridge.

To clear the congestion, state officials recently finalized a $8.9 million contract to add dedicated right-turn lanes to all 4 sides of the intersection, preventing turning vehicles from backing up straight-through lanes.

Engineers will display map designs and explain how construction will impact local business access and daily commutes. The drop-in session runs from 3:30 to 7:00 p.m. at the Western Carteret Library.

Annette is an award-winning journalist based in Eastern North Carolina. Her career includes professional stops across the Midwest, Pacific Northwest, and Southeast, recently culminating in a 2026 Region 8 Edward R. Murrow Award for Small Market Radio Best News Series for her work on the Camp Lejeune Justice Act Series. Guided by a passion for human-interest storytelling, she focuses on narratives that touch hearts and connect communities. A mother of four and grandmother of two, Annette enjoys reading and creating epic Halloween costumes in her spare time. If you have a story idea to share, please reach out by email to westona@cravencc.edu.