City Celebrates Grand Re-Opening of Fifth Avenue

Published on December 22, 2025

Councilmembers cut the ribbon on the grand reopening of Fifth Avenue

The City celebrated the grand re-opening of Fifth Avenue on Dec. 17, marking the completion of a major improvement project along the corridor connecting downtown to Greenfield Lake Park. The project is part of the City’s Vision Zero initiative, which aims to eliminate traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries through safer street design and infrastructure improvements.

Years of wear and long-range planning identified the corridor as an opportunity to improve safety, mobility, and public infrastructure. Guidance from the Cape Fear Historic Byway Corridor Management Plan (2008) and the Cape Fear Commutes 2035 Transportation Plan (2010) helped shape the project, which converted the roadway to one travel lane in each direction, added dedicated bicycle lanes, and addressed sidewalks, stormwater infrastructure, and curbs.

 

The City coordinated closely with the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority, which replaced water and sewer mains and services along the corridor. Aligning schedules minimized disruptions to residents while maximizing efficiency and public investment.

The project, which cost $15.75 million, included:

  • New water and sewer utilities including the installation of approximately 7,000 feet of 8- and 16-inch water mains and more than 5,000 feet of gravity sanitary sewer mains, with 1,300 feet of gravity sewer mains rehabilitated using cured-in-place-pipe lining

  • The conversion of two driving lanes in each direction to one driving lane in each direction to allow for new dedicated bike lanes in each direction

  • Street resurfacing 

  • Sidewalk and curbing repairs and additions, ADA-compliant sidewalk ramps, and new crosswalks at Greenfield, Marstellar, and Ann streets

  • Stormwater drain improvements

  • Tree replacement in the median

  • Maintaining curbside parking on both sides of the road

The Cape Fear Public Utility Authority contributed $12 million toward the project for water and sewer infrastructure improvements.

To celebrate the completion, members of the Cape Fear Cyclists joined the event to be the first to ride along the newly added bike lanes.

The Fifth Avenue project reflects a coordinated effort across multiple City departments and partners, delivering a safer, more complete street for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians while advancing the City’s Vision Zero goals.

 

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