LUMBERTON – The N.C. Department of Transportation is developing plans to widen almost 19 miles of Interstate 95 between Lumberton and Hope Mills and wants the public’s input.
The department has scheduled two public meetings this month to answer questions, accept comments and show preliminary design maps to widen I-95 between mile marker 22 in Robeson County and mile marker 40 (the U.S. 301/I-95 Business exit) in southern Cumberland County. There will be no formal presentations during either meeting. People will be able to drop in between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Meeting details are as follows:
• July 22: Robeson Community College, A.D. Lewis Auditorium, 5160 Fayetteville Road, Lumberton
• July 23: Gray’s Creek Middle School, 5151 Celebration Drive, Hope Mills
I-95 would be widened from four lanes to eight lanes. As part of the proposal, every bridge or overpass would be replaced to meet modern design standards. The project’s overall estimated cost is almost $450 million, with construction scheduled to start in 2026. More information is available at the NCDOT website.
More information about the meetings and the preliminary maps are available at NCDOT’s Public Meetings page.
The project would reduce congestion, lower the risk of crashes and enable the interstate to better handle anticipated traffic growth. At exit 22 in Lumberton, about 63,000 vehicles now pass through each day. By 2040, that figure is projected to exceed 95,000.
“This is one of the oldest parts of I-95 in our state, and we really need to modernize it and expand it,” said Grady Hunt, a Robeson County resident who represents the area on the N.C. Board of Transportation. “This is also a major route on the eastern seaboard and vital to our mission at NCDOT of moving goods and people safely and efficiently.”
People who can’t attend either meeting may submit comments or questions to either of these engineers:
• Brian Yamamoto, an NCDOT consultant, to (919) 858-1865; I-95-Widening@publicinput.com; or CALYX Engineers & Consultants, P.O. Box 33127, Raleigh, N.C., 27636.
• Scott Pridgen, an NCDOT Division 6 project manager, at 910-364-0603; gspridgen@ncdot.gov; or P.O. Box 1150, Fayetteville, N.C., 28302.
Comments received by Aug. 23 deadline will be considered as the final design is developed.
NCDOT will provide auxiliary aids and services under the Americans with Disabilities Act for disabled persons who wish to participate in this meeting. Anyone requiring special services should contact Lauren Putnam at lnputnam1@ncdot.gov or 919-707-6072 as early as possible to make arrangements.
People who do not speak English, or have a limited ability to read, speak or understand English, may receive interpretive services upon request prior to the meeting by calling 1-800-481-6494.
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