Beaufort County residents get an opportunity to weigh in on the proposed comprehensive transportation plan for the county during a public hearing Monday night.

The hearing, part of the Beaufort County Board of Commissioners meeting, begins at 7 p.m. The proposed plan will be presented by Bryant Buck, a planner with the Mid-East Commission.

The proposed plan includes a northern bypass around Washington. The bypass would run from about a mile east of Leggett Road on U.S. Highway 264 west of Washington to Asbury Church Road east of Washington. The bypass would be a four-lane freeway. Interchanges are recommended at the bypass’s eastern and western termini, Market Street Extension and U.S. Highway 17.

“Improvements are needed to accommodate projected traffic volumes and to improve mobility through Washington such that a minimum Level of Service (LOS) D can be achieved,” reads a document concerning the plan.

The proposed bypass is included in Washington’s thoroughfare plan.

The plan also includes a proposed bridge that would cross the Pamlico River from the Bayview ferry terminal to the Aurora ferry terminal. The proposal calls for building a two-lane bridge with bicycle accommodations. The bridge would replace the existing ferry route.

“The proposed project would enhance the system linkage by providing a more efficient route and improving connectivity and mobility for commuters and residents from the northern to southern potions of eastern Beaufort County,” reads the document.

The document also states, “Emergency evacuation and other emergency access/response time to the hospital are limited due to the lack of bridge access in the eastern part of the county. Students and faculty use the ferry to access the community college and other schools on the northern side of the county. Bridge access between Aurora and Bayview would benefit military operations and transport, economic development, tourism, employment opportunities, education, and mobility/connectivity within Beaufort County.”

The Board of Commissioners meets at 5 p.m. in the Beaufort County Administrative Building, 121 W. Third St., Washington. To review the entire agenda for the meeting, visit www.co.beaufort.nc.us. At the right side of the page, click on “Agenda” under the heading “Next regular Board of Commissioners meeting.”