Detours for drivers in Greenville as construction project advances

Story by Chris Young

Road closure signs, barricades and detours cover stretches of W. Fifth Street and Dickinson Ave in Greenville. 

It’s an obstacle that MaryAnne Ricks, manager at Pitt Street Brewing Company, said is impacting the bottom line. 

“Last week, even with Spring Break being around town, we definitely saw less foot traffic,” Ricks said. “I think people are unsure how to get down here, especially if they’re coming from the Winterville side of Greenville.”

The stretch of Dickinson Ave. between Skinner Street and Ficklen Street is right next to the tap room.

According to the North Carolina Department of Transportation, the construction on this road is set to go on for three months and will help make the area more walkable.

Detours for drivers in Greenville as construction project advances© Provided by WCTI Greenville-New Bern-Washington

“I think having pathways and sidewalks that allow people to get to the small businesses that are down here will help everybody,” Ricks said.

But, it isn’t the only road closure affecting pedestrians.

“We did have to do a little research before we set out for dinner this evening. We did check, Fifth Street is closed, as well as, our usual route down Dickinson, so we did have to do a little bit of research to make sure we didn’t run into any crazy construction or traffic,” Robin and Sunny Sanyal said. 

Drivers can avoid the work area by using detours on Memorial Drive, 10th Street and Evans Street.

Beginning this week, a road closure will begin on W. Fifth Street between Ward Street and S. Pitt Street.

This is part of phase two of the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (B.U.I.L.D.) project.

The project is a $48 million investment to help increase access to different areas of the city.

Phase one was a traffic circle on W. Fifth Street that opened Tuesday, Apr. 2, 2024. 

This second phase is set to last 18 months. 

Drivers will be detoured to Ward Street, W. Fifth Street and Pitt Street. 

The Sunyals are hopeful about the end result. 

“I think having the footpath, the foot traffic more accessible, will be very valuable to Greenville,” they said.

According to city leaders, crews will construct a traffic circle at the intersection of Albemarle Ave. and Elizabeth Street.