The N.C. Department of Transportation has awarded a $182 million contract to S.T. Wooten Corp. to complete the final seven miles of the U.S. 17 Hampstead Bypass, running between NC 140 and NC 210. Construction could begin in late August 2025 and is expected to be finished by 2030. View the NCDOT Project Page.
Status of Both Segments
- North segment (NC 210 → north of Hampstead): Already under construction, with completion projected for late 2027.
- South segment (NC 140 → NC 210): Newly contracted and funded, with work starting in 2025 and finishing by 2030.
“This is a huge milestone as we work toward the completion of the bypass.”
—Trevor Carroll, NCDOT Division 3 Engineer
“They’re trying to play catch-up, but I think population’s exceeding catch-up. I live three miles from my shop… it could take an hour to get home.”
—Fred Eike, Hampstead Mulch & Stone owner
Behind the Numbers
The bypass is fully funded in NCDOT’s State Transportation Improvement Program. Early utility relocation alone accounted for nearly $19 million in costs. This final contract covers grading, drainage, paving, and new structures across Pender and New Hanover counties.
Why This Matters for Hampstead
The bypass has been decades in discussion. For many commuters, its completion could shave significant time off daily travel. Yet local business owners worry that growth will continue to outpace infrastructure, and that congestion could return quickly.
