Salisbury Endorses Airport Parkway Route Two

City Council approves NCDOT's preferred route option after public feedback

Apr. 10, 2026 at 5:10am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A serene, nostalgic painting of an empty suburban road cutting through a neighborhood, with warm sunlight and deep shadows creating a cinematic mood.The proposed Airport Parkway project aims to alleviate traffic congestion and improve connectivity in the Salisbury area, though the route selection process has raised concerns from local residents.Salisbury Today

The Salisbury City Council has endorsed the North Carolina Department of Transportation's (NCDOT) route two option for the proposed Airport Parkway project. The project aims to alleviate congestion on Jake Alexander Boulevard and improve connectivity to the local airport. After considering public feedback, the city favored the route two option that connects to Airport Road and South Main Street over other alternatives that had greater impacts on businesses and residents.

Why it matters

The Airport Parkway project has been in the works since 1998 as a way to address growing traffic issues in the area. The city's endorsement of the NCDOT's preferred route two option is a key step forward in the project's development, which is expected to move into the right-of-way acquisition and construction phases in the coming years.

The details

The NCDOT presented eight alternative routes for the Airport Parkway project to local officials and the public in late 2025. After reviewing public feedback, which showed the most opposition to route three, the city decided to endorse route two. This route connects to Airport Road and South Main Street rather than extending all the way to Peeler Road, which had greater impacts on businesses and residents. The city is also requesting larger shoulders on the initial road design to allow for future expansion, such as adding sidewalks.

  • The Airport Parkway project was first proposed in 1998 to address growing congestion.
  • The project was officially introduced in 2016 with city and county support given in 2019.
  • Funding for the project was dropped during the COVID-19 pandemic, and it was tabled indefinitely.
  • The NCDOT presented eight alternative routes to local officials and the public in October 2025.
  • The Salisbury City Council endorsed the route two option at their April 7, 2026 meeting.

The players

Salisbury City Council

The governing body of the City of Salisbury, North Carolina that endorsed the NCDOT's preferred route two option for the Airport Parkway project.

North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT)

The state transportation agency that proposed the Airport Parkway project and presented eight alternative routes to local officials and the public.

Jared Mathis

The Salisbury Transportation Director who presented the route two recommendation and public comment feedback to the City Council.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The Airport Parkway project has been a possibility since 1998 as a way to alleviate growing congestion on Jake Alexander Boulevard and increase connectivity to the airport.”

— Jared Mathis, Salisbury Transportation Director

What’s next

The NCDOT and the environmental team will meet on April 15 to discuss the recommendation of route two. After the final environmental impact studies are completed, the project will move into the right-of-way acquisition phase in 2030 and construction is expected to begin in 2034.

The takeaway

The Salisbury City Council's endorsement of the NCDOT's preferred route two option for the Airport Parkway project represents a significant milestone in the long-running effort to address traffic congestion and improve connectivity in the area. With the city and county's support, the project can now progress towards the next phases of development and eventual construction.