Surf City has been talking about its multi-use path for years, and tonight one more piece of it could move from plans to pavement. According to Port City Daily’s weekly government roundup published Nov. 2, 2026, the Surf City Town Council’s Tuesday, Nov. 3 meeting agenda includes approving a contract award for Segment 5 of the town’s multi-use path, along with a resolution supporting a grant application to the NCDOT Integrated Mobility Division. If you own a home on the Surf City mainland, or you’re shopping for one, here’s what this segment is, where it goes, and what it could mean for day-to-day life in this part of Pender County.
What Segment 5 Is and Where It Runs
The Town of Surf City’s Segment 5 project page describes it as a multi-use path along J.H. Batts Road, running from the N.C. 50 and J.H. Batts Road intersection to Community Center Drive. That puts it on the mainland side of town, linking the N.C. 50 corridor with the area around the Surf City Community Center.
A few details from the town’s page are worth knowing:
- Cost sharing: The town partnered with the developer of the Waterside community through a cost-sharing agreement to build this segment.
- Design and oversight: Cape Fear Engineering designed the project, completed the final construction plans, and is slated to oversee construction.
- Budget: The town lists an estimated total project cost of about $979,300.
- Timing: Sealed bids were opened Oct. 12, 2026. The town said contract award was expected in late October or early November, with construction anticipated to begin in fall 2026 and a final schedule set after the contract is signed.
As of this writing, the council had not yet voted. If the contract is approved tonight, the next step is executing the contract and setting a construction schedule, so watch the town’s website for updates on start dates.
How It Fits Into the Bigger Path Network
Segment 5 is one piece of a much larger plan. In a StarNews report from Jan. 23, 2026, the full path was described as running 19.2 miles when finished, reaching both ends of Surf City’s beach and extending inland to the U.S. 17 and N.C. 210 intersection, about 5 miles from the island. At that point, the StarNews reported, only about a mile of the path was complete, most of it the walkway on the Surf City Bridge.
The same report noted that Segment 7, roughly a mile along North Shore Drive, was being built in 2026 alongside the town’s waterline resiliency work, and that final plans for Segment 1 along N.C. 210 were expected by mid-2026. The town’s project pages list nine segments in all, from the N.C. 210 corridor and Watts Landing Road to the island path and Little Kinston Road. We covered the town’s broader planning in our post on Surf City’s bike and pedestrian plan.
What It Means for Homeowners
Better connections on the mainland
Much of Surf City’s recent growth has been on the mainland, away from the beach. A dedicated path along J.H. Batts Road gives people a safer option for walking, biking, or getting to the community center area without sharing the road with traffic. For families with kids or anyone who likes an evening walk, that’s a real quality-of-life upgrade.
Construction is short-term
If you live along or near J.H. Batts Road, expect some construction activity once work begins. The StarNews reported earlier this year that Segment 5 was expected to take around 60 to 120 days once a bid is awarded. Short-term disruption is common with projects like this, and the town typically posts updates and lane notices as work moves along.
Amenities matter to resale
Walkability and access to parks and paths are features buyers ask about, especially relocators coming from areas where greenways are common. We can’t promise a path will change any one home’s value, but being near a finished, connected trail is a selling point worth mentioning when you list.
What It Means for Buyers
If you’re looking at homes in mainland Surf City or nearby Hampstead, a few tips:
- Look at the segment map. The town’s multi-use pathway pages show where each segment runs. Check whether a home you like is near a finished segment, one under construction, or one that’s still only planned.
- Don’t count on unfunded segments. Some segments have clear funding and timelines, while others are still being worked out with NCDOT and private developers. Plan around what’s built or under contract.
- Remember that Surf City spans two counties. Parts of Surf City sit in Onslow County. Confirm which county a property is in, since that affects property taxes and services.
- Ask about HOA connections. In newer communities, ask whether neighborhood sidewalks or trails are planned to tie into the town’s path.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where exactly does Surf City’s Segment 5 path go?
According to the town, it runs along J.H. Batts Road from the N.C. 50 intersection to Community Center Drive, on the mainland side of Surf City.
When will construction start?
The town said construction was anticipated to begin in fall 2026, with the final schedule set after the contract is awarded and signed. The council was scheduled to consider the contract award on Nov. 3, 2026.
Who is paying for it?
The town lists an estimated cost of about $979,300 and says the project is being built through a cost-sharing agreement with the developer of the Waterside community.
How long will the full path be?
The StarNews reported in January 2026 that the completed network would run 19.2 miles, from both ends of the beach inland to U.S. 17 and N.C. 210.
Thinking About Surf City or Hampstead?
Projects like this are part of why buyers keep looking at the Topsail area for year-round living, not just beach weekends. If you’d like help finding a home near the path network, or you want to know how local projects could affect a home you’re selling, we know this market street by street. Talk with the Aspyre Collective team and we’ll walk you through it.
