Between Independence Boulevard and Operations Center Drive, River Road will be closed to accommodate construction of a roundabout where Independence Boulevard and River Road intersect.
Designed to accommodate future traffic improvements that are slated for Independence Boulevard, including a widening project, the roundabout will offer northbound River Road traffic a free flow dedicated right turn lane. During construction traffic on River Road will still be able to turn right toward Carolina Beach Road onto Independence Boulevard and traffic will still have the option of turning left from Independence Boulevard toward Riverlights onto River Road.
Some businesses engage flyer printing services in preparation for road closures to help their patrons navigate any necessary detours
Other improvements to Independence Boulevard that the roundabout will facilitate are a 1.8-mile extension that has been in development since 1972 that will go from Randall Parkway to Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway with the objective being to improve connectivity between Wilmington’s east-west routes. Along the proposed route overpasses, interchanges and intersection improvements are being looked at for multiple locations. This extension will be one of New Hanover County’s most expensive with an estimated price of $424.6 million with construction to begin in 2031
The $2.1 million roundabout project was funded jointly by the city, Watermark Development and Riverlights and received Wilmington City Council’s approval in 2023. Closure of the heavily traveled River Road will begin on July 7 for the construction of the single-lane roundabout.
