Havelock bypass construction delayed, city remains optimistic for spring 2025 opening

Keeping you updated on the new Havelock bypass as the construction continues:

City leaders in Havelock say while the completion date for the new Havelock bypass construction is being pushed back, they’re still optimistic about the opportunities the new bypass will bring.

It’s been five years since construction began on the U.S. 70 Havelock bypass and while original projections slated the infrastructure to be open by the fall of this year –the crew says weather delays have pushed the opening date back until spring of 2025.

With the completion of the bypass just a year away, Havelock City manager Chris McGee says he’s hopeful that the new influx of travelers will open doors for growth in the community.

More people are going to be coming because everybody wants to go to the beach.

"And while we’re not at the beach, Havelock is a much more affordable community than the beach.

So you can be in Havelock and work in the area and you’re still within 20–30 minutes of being at the beach without the process of the beach.

But I’m hopeful long term that, that causes us to grow – that’s what we’re looking forward to."

The North Carolina Department of Transportation says the $221 million Havelock bypass will be a four-lane, median-divided highway.

The most recent project timeline says the bypass to be open by this time next year.