Town Projects
Page last updated:
MARCH 2026
The Town of Oak Island is always working to improve the quality of life for residents & visitors. This means making access to the Departments, services, and facilities provided by the Town, easier and more efficient.
This page provides a basic overview of the large-scale projects the Town is engaged in; including project details, location, cost, and current completion status (Note: due to factors such as weather, materials availability and personnel, exact completion timelines may not be available).
This list is reviewed and updated during the first full week of every month.
Currently Active Projects
ADA Kayak Ramp
PROJECT NAME
LOCATION
SCOPE
- Replaces Tidal Waves Kayak launch at SE 31st St. with ADA compliant launch ramp
BUDGET
START DATE
ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE
- Winter / Early Spring 2026
STATUS UPDATES
- MARCH 2026: Design complete. Application submitted to CAMA for approval.
- JANUARY 2025: CAMA permit guidance has been received. Further development on design underway.
- DECEMBER 2025: Design in progress (35% complete)
- OCTOBER 2025: Demolition and replacement currently underway
- SEPTEMBER 2025: Kayak Launch CLOSED
- JULY 2025: Materials have been delivered
Blue Ribbon Safety Committee
PROJECT NAME
- Blue Ribbon Summit on Safety Committee
LOCATION
SCOPE
- To identify, review, and propose infrastructure and policy enhancements for pedestrian safety throughout Town.
BUDGET
START DATE
ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE
STATUS UPDATES
- MARCH 2026: Work session planned for March
- FEBRUARY 2026: Presentation on Committee Recommendations provided to the Town Council (CLICK HERE to watch)
- JANUARY 2026: Committee expects to present final report to Town Council during regular meeting on February 10, 2025
- DECEMBER 2025: Committee holds final meeting, begins compiling recommendations
- NOVEMBER 2025: Committee continues to hold regular meetings
- OCTOBER 2025: Committee holds regular meetings
- SEPTEMBER 2025: Committee formed by Town Council, holds first meeting
Dune Infiltration Stormwater System
PROJECT NAME
- Dune Infiltration Stormwater System
LOCATION
SCOPE
- Installs dune infiltration system to address flooding on Crowell St
BUDGET
START DATE
ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE
STATUS UPDATES
- March 2026: Staff is expediting the remaining work with an estimated completion by mid - May 2026. Work will be limited to Monday - Friday, with hours of operation in compliance with all Town Ordinances related to noise and construction.
- February 2026: Remaining electrical work underway
- January 2026: Pipe liner being applied to resolve inflow / infiltration issue. Remaining electrical work planned in early February
- October 2025: Due to delay in contractor availability, work was briefly paused for two weeks. Work has resumed and on-track to be completed by late Fall 2025.
- September 2025: Work ongoing. Project on schedule to be completed in October 2025
- August 2025: Draining installation work completed
- July 2025: The infiltration system has been installed, with work to install the storm drain pipe anticipated throughout the month of August
- June 2025: Project started, with 120 calendar days allotted for completion
- April 2025: Bid successfully below budget. Bid award in progress. Working on developing project schedule.
- March 2025: New bid date set for March 21, 2025
- February 2025: Only 1 bid received at first bid opening
Little Davis Canal Study
PROJECT NAME
LOCATION
SCOPE
- Feasibility Study for Canal Dredging
BUDGET
START DATE
ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE
STATUS UPDATES
- MARCH 2026: Scope and Fee proposal under review
Oak Island Pier Repairs
PROJECT NAME
LOCATION
- Oak Island Pier, 705 Ocean Dr
SCOPE
- Repair piling and cross bracing damaged during Hurricane Isaias
BUDGET
START DATE
ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE
STATUS UPDATES
- MARCH 2026: Construction anticipated to begin in mid - March
- MARCH 2026 : project has begun, construction should take about 2 weeks to finish.
- FEBRUARY 2026: Contractor identified, working to establish project schedule
Pedestrian Crosswalks
PROJECT NAME
LOCATION
SCOPE
- Adds new Pedestrian Crosswalk with ADA compliant ramp over E Oak Island Dr at SE 51st St
START DATE
ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE
STATUS UPDATES
- MARCH 2026: Construction currently underway
For full information on other similar improvements, visit the Pedestrian Safety page at OakIslandNC.gov/PEDESTRIAN or click the link below.
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE
Pickleball Courts Fence Replacement
PROJECT UPDATES
- Friday, March 27
- As of the end of day on Friday, March 27, installation of the fencing on the North section has been COMPLETED.
- The North section will be OPEN for play throughout the weekend (NOTE: A brief closure will still be needed on Monday, March 30 to reinstall the wind guards).
- Starting on Monday, March 30 the SOUTH courts will be CLOSED to allow for the remaining fence installations.
- Wednesday, March 25
- Work on this project has started on schedule
- Removal of the old fencing is currently underway
- Due to the mounting location of the router, the public WiFi in the Pickleball courts area will be unavailable for the duration of this project
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The fence replacement work is being conducted by local contractor NC Design & Build with full fence replacement in ALL courts anticipated prior to the upcoming Oak Island Beach Pickles Spring Classic event scheduled for April 11 - 12.
At this time, no street or parking lot closures are expected, and traffic disruptions on SE 46th Street should be minimal; however, drivers and pedestrians traveling through the area are strongly encouraged to remain aware of surroundings, and do not enter the marked construction areas.
Street Paving (FY 2025 -2026)
PROJECT NAME
- Street Paving (FY 2025 - 2026)
LOCATION
SCOPE
- Repaving streets throughout the Town as needed and identified.
BUDGET
START DATE
ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE
STATUS UPDATES
- March 2026: FY25-26 list of streets identified, with target for bidding project in April / May 2026
- January 2026: Identifying paving list of streets, and evaluating alternative pavement treatments.
- December 2025: Currently identifying paving list of streets for Spring contract and evaluating alternative pavement treatments
- October 2025: Staff are currently working to identify a Paving List of streets for the Fiscal Year budgeted contract, to be performed in Spring 2026
Previously Completed Projects
Provided below are final updates for recently completed projects.
Bicycle Transit Plan
PROJECT NAME
LOCATION
SCOPE
- Assess bicycle mobility needs, and identify / prioritize future improvements
BUDGET
START DATE
ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE
STATUS UPDATES
- January: Notice to proceed issued by NCDOT on January 30
- March: Kickoff meting to be held in March
- April: Dedicated webpage in development
- May: Webpage developed at OakIslandNC.gov/BikePlan
- June: Public Survey launched at OakIslandNC.gov/SURVEY
- July: A Public Open House event was held on on July 30
- September: A Final Steering Committee meeting was held on September 26, 2025
- December: Plan completed and submitted for review to the NCDOT Bike & Pedestrian Unit (anticipate future local adoption).
For more information on the Bicycle Transit Plan, visit OakIslandNC.gov/BikePlan or click the link below.
Fire Hydrant Replacement
Project Name: Fire Hydrant Replacement
Location: Town-wide
Scope: Replaces 25 aging fire hydrants
Budget: $175,000
Start Date: February 15, 2025
Completion Date: March 31, 2025 (originally estimated to be April 15, 2025)
Project Timeline: February 2025: Project Announced
- March 10: Installation 50% Complete
- March 31: Installations complete for 2025
Mobi-Mat Extensions
Project Name: New Mobi-Mat Installation
Location: SE 45th St. / Keziah St.
Scope: Installs new Mobi-mats for improved beach access
Budget: $20,000
Start Date: April 1, 2025
Completion Date: March 28, 2025 (originally estimated to be May 17, 2025)
Project Timeline:
- Mobi-mats have been procured
- DCM permits approved
- Scheduling installation
- March 28: Mobi-Mats extensions installed at Keziah St. & SE 46th St.
Pickleball Court Lighting Improvements
Project Name: Pickleball Lighting Improvements
Location: Middleton Park Complex
Scope: Installs additional lighting on the Pickleball courts
Budget: $2,500
Start Date: March 1, 2025
Completion Date: April 1, 2025
PTC 8 Recovery Projects
Project Name: PTC #8 Recovery Projects
Location: Various (see below)
Scope:
- On September 16, 2024, the Cape Fear Region of southeastern North Carolina was heavily impacted by Potential Tropical Cyclone #8 (PTC8).
- As a result, Town infrastructure in several locations were heavily damaged, with locations closed until further repairs or assessments could be made.
- This section provides updates for the ongoing repairs projects for PTC8
Budget: $500,000
Start Date: February 10, 2025
Completion Date: June 30, 2025
PTC 8 Project Components:
- Shuster Park Fishing Tee (end of W Oak Island Dr.): $61,670
- NW 1st St Bulkhead: $39,140
- NW 3rd St. Bulkhead / Street End Collapse: $45,150
- NW 11th St Bulkhead: $34,920
- NW 14th St Bulkhead: $37,050
- NE 8th St Bulkhead: $32,520
- 30th Pl W Dock: $2,900
- NW 6th St Bulkhead: $40,200
- NW 9th St Bulkhead: $40,200
- NW 5th St Bulkhead: $40,200
Recreation Needs Assessment
Project Name: Recreation Needs Assessment
Location: Recreation Center / Community Center
Scope: Determine Town Recreation facility needs, evaluate existing facilities, and recommend options for a new Recreation Center
Budget: $80,000
Start Date: January 13, 2025
Completion Date: April 1, 2025 (originally estimated to be May 13, 2025)
Project Timeline:
- February 7: First Committee Meeting
- February 12: Received public Input
- March 11: Concept design to be presented
- April 1: Study complete, presented the Town Council on April 8
- View the Recreation Needs Assessment Presentation Video
Street Paving
Project Name: Street Paving
Location: Various
Scope: Repaving of Town streets
Budget: $887,137
Start Date: February 4, 2025
Completion Date: April 21, 2025
Rainbow Bridge
PROJECT NAME
LOCATION
SCOPE
- Installs pedestrian bridge memorial for deceased pets
BUDGET
START DATE
ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE
STATUS UPDATES
- February: Working on location and exact design of memorial
- April: Bridge Ordered, will be assembled upon delivery
- May: Bridge has been constructed, painting anticipated to be completed in June
- July: Project complete
Commercial Area Sidewalk Improvement Project: PHASE I
PROJECT NAME
- Commercial Area Sidewalk Improvement Project
LOCATION
- Phase I: E Oak Island Drive (from NE 46th St. to NE 56th St.)
SCOPE
- This project will add NEW sidewalk along more than half a mile of E Oak Island Drive, from NE 46th St. to NE 56th St., which will also accommodate the future installation of Pedestrian Crosswalks.
BUDGET
START DATE
COMPLETION DATE
STATUS UPDATES
- March 5, 2026: Final Inspection of Crosswalk approved
- February 27, 2026: Construction Completed Final closeout underway
- January 12, 2026: The project has competed installation of more than 1,700 linear feet of NEW sidewalk along E Oak Island Drive, and is on schedule to have sidewalks completed by the end of January. The Pedestrian Crosswalk to be added at NE 51st St is scheduled to be completed before March, 2026.
- December 15, 2025: Currently, the project has added approximately 900 linear feet of NEW sidewalk on the North side of E Oak Island Drive as it works from NE 46th St. to NE 56th St.
Once the sidewalk is finished, construction will begin on the NCDOT approved Pedestrian Crosswalk featuring a lighted crossing signal at the intersection of E Oak Island Dr. and NE 51st St.
- December 8, 2025: Sidewalk paving has begun in the areas where framing has been completed
- December 2, 2025: A Special Notice was delivered to businesses located within the project area, informing them the sidewalk construction project has started, and that during this period they may experience noise, dust, and temporary access restrictions.
- November 17, 2025: The contractor performing the sidewalk installation Morgan Trucking & General Construction, Inc. began staging equipment and materials.
- November 10, 2025: Survey work started to establish and mark the project's construction area.
- October 14, 2025: During the Consent Agenda, the Town Council approved motions to the begin the contracting services for Phase I the Commercial Area Sidewalk Improvement Project
- October 20, 2025: Town Staff met with representatives from Rummel, Klepper, and Kahl, LLP (RK&K), who will administer the project with construction work performed by Morgan Trucking and General Construction Inc. Currently the tentative project timeline is to have construction begin sometime in the late Fall / Winter of 2025. The contractor, Morgan Trucking and General Construction Inc., expects to begin staging equipment and materials by the week of November 17.
- November 10, 2025: Starting this week, survey work will begin to establish and mark the project's construction area. All the survey work should be conducted within the Right-Of-Way (ROW) and should not affect vehicle or roadway traffic.