Land near St. James being cleared for Long Beach Road project

Published: Thursday, June 19, 2014 at 10:48 a.m. Last Modified: Thursday, June 19, 2014 at 10:48 a.m.

People driving along N.C. 211 near St. James in Brunswick County have probably noticed land being cleared and smoke billowing from debris piles, but the work doesn't mean development is imminent.

Owner Malcolm Jones is clearing the land to mine dirt to be used for the Long Beach Road Extension project, according to Pete Frandano, a Southport real estate consultant.

Jones is a Florida-based home builder who specializes in estate housing. There are no permits to build on the land, and permits aren't needed to burn debris, according to Brunswick County spokeswoman Amanda Hutcheson.

The Long Beach Road Extension, a connector under construction to relieve congestion between Southport and Oak Island, needs the dirt for an embankment along the new road, according to Anthony Law, an N.C. Department of Transportation district engineer. A borrow pit is located at the back of the land.

Once the connector is completed, the new road will branch off from Long Beach Road near the Surf Cinemas movie theater, cross N.C. 211 west of the existing intersection and then continue to N.C. 87 near the N.C. 87/133 split.

The total cost of the project is estimated to be about $22 million, and its estimated completion date is May 2016.

The intersection of N.C. 133 and U.S. 87 at the Sunny Point Military Ocean Terminal entrance was realigned as part of the project.

Jason Gonzales: 343-2075

On Twitter: @StarNews_Jason

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Land near St. James being cleared for Long Beach Road project