N.C. 24 westbound down to one lane through Friday

Civilian and military officials are urging drivers to avoid westbound N.C. 24 near the Northeast Creek bridge - and asking those who work on base to use routes other than the main gate when leaving work to prevent the "mother of all traffic jams."

Traffic crews have closed two of the westbound lanes across the bridge, near the Camp Lejeune main gate, for emergency bridge repairs, said Mark Goodman, emergency services director for Onslow County. Crews are working to repair part of the side of the bridge, which appears to have been hit by a vehicle.

"They certainly wouldn't be doing it if it wasn't an emergency," Goodman said.

The road will be down to one lane until Friday evening.

Goodman urged drivers to avoid the area if at all possible, especially in the afternoon, when traffic from base causes backups in that area even without lane closures.

Signs have been placed on N.C. 24 and on Holcomb Boulevard aboard Camp Lejeune, urging drivers to avoid the area and use the Piney Green, Hubert or Sneads Ferry gates instead of the main gate.

"We're just trying to get the word out to folks, maybe it will save some people some time," Goodman said.

While acknowledging that there are not many ways around the affected area, Goodman said motorists traveling westbound on N.C. 24 from the Hubert area toward Jacksonville could turn off at Piney Green Road and go around.

"Anything you can do to avoid that (area)," Goodman said. "Sit home, drink scotch. That's my recommendation."

Contact interactive content editor and military reporter Jennifer Hlad at jhlad@freedomenc.com or 910-219-8467.