TRAFFIC ALERT: Diverging Diamond Interchange on N.C. 133 Closing This Weekend, Weather Permitting

To stripe and install weather resistant markers for the Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) on N.C. 133, the Department of Transportation will close N.C. 133/Village Road/River Road between the interchange ramps for U.S. 17/74/76 near Belville/Leland this weekend, weather permitting. The closure starts at 5 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 1 and is expected to end by 6 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 3.

The weekend closure is necessary so crews can place thermoplastic lane striping, which is much more resilient than traditional striping, and special markers which can withstand snow plows that are occasionally used during severe winter weather events.  The work is weather conditional and may be postponed in the event of rain or wet roadway conditions.  

Detours

Motorists on N.C. 133/River Road, south of the interchange, heading toward Village Road in Leland or on U.S. 74 West will be directed onto U.S. 74 East toward Wilmington to follow their detour. Drivers using Village Road to access N.C.133, south of the interchange or U.S. 74/76 East toward Wilmington should take the ramp onto U.S. 74/76 West toward Whiteville/Myrtle Beach and follow those detour signs.

Drivers are advised to slow down, use caution and stay alert while traveling in the area, and to expect possible delays.

The NCDOT is increasing its use of DDIs because by allowing two directions of traffic to temporarily cross to the left side of a road, they improve safety by creating free flowing turns when entering and exiting a highway, eliminating the need to turn left in front of oncoming traffic. They also reduce congestion by allowing traffic to keep moving through the intersection, and limiting the number of traffic signal cycles that vehicles have to go through.

The opening of this DDI is part of the Causeway Bridge Project, which is scheduled to be completed in November.