Those interested what NCDOT has in store for Beaufort County over the next 10 years can find out in Greenville this week.

NCDOT released its updated version of the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program projects list for 2018-2027, which includes 19 projects for Division 2, covering Beaufort, Carteret, Craven, Greene, Jones, Lenoir, Pamlico and Pitt counties. Each of the 14 state divisions is hosting a week-long public comment period on the current draft — Division 2’s is being held this week during regular business hours at the Division’s main office, located at 1037 W.H. Smith Blvd., Greenville.

The plan’s projects in Beaufort County include widening a 10-mile stretch of U.S. Highway 17, from N.C. Highway 171 to south of Williamston, to multi-lanes. That work is projected to begin in 2020 and wrap up in 2023, and its planning and design are already in progress.

The list of projects was approved by the Board of Transportation in 2017 and includes amendments through May 3, 2018. The plan is updated every two years.

“Projects scheduled in the first five years are considered committed, while projects in the final five years of the draft 10-year plan will be re-evaluated again as part of the development process for the 2022-2031 plan. That will start later this year,” reads a press release from NCDOT.

Potential projects that are listed in the final five years of the plan include a replacement of the bridge over Blounts Creek on Mouth of the Creek Road, and widening of Washington’s 15^th Street from Carolina Avenue to Brown Street. The latter project was set aside by NCDOT after the Washington City Council voted not to proceed with the project in 2017, a result of a grassroots campaign by city residents who opposed the raised medians and U-turns they say would hinder, and not help, traffic.

A complete listing of all projects can be found on the NCDOT website at www.ncdot.gov/initiatives-policies/Transportation/stip. Public comment will also be accepted through the website until April 15.

The draft plan will be considered for final approval by the Board of Transportation this summer, according to the press release.