Current & Recent Projects

Herritage Street Sewer Replacement Project

Work in this project will involve the replacement/rehabilitation of approximately 2,400 feet of existing 8-inch diameter sewer mains along Herritage Street between Lenoir Avenue and King Street. Cost is estimated at $1,204,000.   The City re-applied and was awarded a Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan of $3,384,756 with 25% principal forgiveness, in August, 2024.  This should cover the full cost of the project. Engineering work will begin immediately. Construction will be expected to start in 2026. 

updated 01/2026

Electric Field Verification Project

During work on the City of Kinston Long Range Plan for the electric system, it was found that there were many gaps in infrastructure data for the system.  This project was developed to perform field inspections of electric system components and gather data, such as pole attachments, transformer sizes/service connections, regulators, breakers, etc. so complete data could be stored in the GIS system along with accurate locations. An RFP was issued in May, 2023.  Of the three responses, Booth and Associates has been selected to perform the work at a cost of $415,000.  Work began in August, 2024 and is still ongoing. Completion is expected in January, 2026.

updated 01/2026

C130 Water Extension Project

The North Carolina Global Transpark held a groundbreaking ceremony in June, 2024 a new industrial development project commonly referred to as the C-130 Project.   It will involve the construction of several new hangars and facilities for the maintenance of military aircraft.   The City of Kinston will provide water service the project in an area that currently lacks water infrastructure.   Using our General Engineering Services RFQ, WithersRavenel was selected to perform engineering work and City Council approved a contract with them in the amount of $309,000 in July, 2024.  Design plans/specifications were completed in April, 2025.  Instead of bidding the construction work, NCGTP decided to construct the work through a change order to their current contractor, with construction funds coming directly from NCGTP.  The City will not have any cost for the project, except the engineering contract, unless costs exceed NCGTP funds in accordance with a MOA signed by City & NCGTP.  Construction is underway and expected to be complete by April, 2026. 

updated 01/2026

Electric 540/545 Circuit Rebuild

This project is a rebuild project to increase the current carrying capacity of the 540 and 545 electric circuits which runs from Hull Road to Banks School Road.   Booth & Associates is working on engineering and bid specifications for labor and materials.  The project was initially estimated to cost $2,341,800 when first started in 2020 and was only the 540 circuit.  Design work was suspended in 2021 due to potential impacts from NCDOT’s Highway 70 Bypass project, but NCDOT has not secured funding for their project, so engineering work has resumed.  Project has been delayed due to railroad permitting.  Construction is not expected to begin until 2026.    updated 1/2026

Smartgrid Meter System

A project budget of $6,500,000 was established in 2016 for this project to replace all existing water and electric meters, electric load switches, and install a meter communication system for remote reading of the meters.  Funding was initially provided from the Electric Fund Capital Reserve. $3,283,190 of the funds were loaned internally to the Water Fund for the replacement of water meter infrastructure.  The loan is being repaid to the Electric Fund through ten equal annual payments of $328,319, beginning in FY24.  Load switches have not been installed.  Customer interest in the program has been minimal, so staff is evaluating whether to proceed with the program. $603,369.58 remains in project funds to use toward load switches.    

updated 1/2026

Lawrence Heights Sewer Line Replacement 

The Lawrence Heights Sewer Line Replacement project involves the replacement of all gravity sewer lines in the subdivision, located between Old Snow Hill Road and Highland Avenue.  The estimated cost of the work is $3.3 million.  The city has received a Community Development Block Grant – Infrastructure grant of $2 million and a $3.3 million Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan for the project.    Terms of the CWSRF loan are zero percent interest and principal forgiveness of 50% for up to $500,000.  All water and sewer work was bid as one project with bids received on August 5, 2021. The bid was awarded to Jones & Smith Contractors in the amount of $4,410,050. Mains have been installed, but not all have passed acceptance testing required after involvement of the contractor surety in 2024. City has again involved the surety to require the contractor to meet the terms of the previous settlement and complete the project. A firm completion date is not available due to the dispute.   

updated 1/2026

Lawrence Heights Water Line Replacement 

The project will involve the replacement of 8,800 linear feet of old cast iron and galvanized waterlines.  We currently experience numerous leaks and color/taste/odor complaints from residents in the neighborhood.  Water line replacements are complete and lines are in service.   Final project closeout is waiting on completion of sewer line work that is funded separately, but part of the same construction contract.    

updated 1/2026

Adkin Branch Flood Mitigation Project

In response to efforts by city leaders, the Environmental Defense Fund performed the City of Kinston Flood Resiliency Study in 2021 to evaluate flooding issues and potential mitigation along the Adkin Branch stream from Hardee Road to Highway 11 North.  Results of the study have been used to pursue funding for complete analysis and design of the most beneficial mitigation measures identified.  The City has secured a $250,000 grant from the Golden Leaf Foundation for Phase I engineering analysis and a $1.2 million grant from North Carolina Division of Emergency Management for Phase II engineering work, which will include full design of the improvements.  Engineering work began in November, 2022.  The City has also secured construction funding from the Land & Water Conservancy ($2,000,000), NC General Assembly direct appropriation ($6,395,000), NC Division of Emergency Management ($3,000,000), and Stormwater Construction Grant from NC DWI ($1,598,950), for total construction funding awards of nearly $16 million.  Additional construction funding opportunities are being identified.  Preliminary engineering has been completed and identified 5 potential phases with a total cost of over $78 million.  City has set the scope of construction improvements and final design is underway. Estimated total cost is now $21 million.  Staff is pursuing funding from the NC Dept of Emergency Management Hazard Mitigation Program to cover the remaining project costs.  

updated 01/2026

2024 Road Improvement Project 

This project involves the replacement of road surfaces on sixteen city streets and new pavement in a section of Westview Cemetery. Some of the streets included in the project are Hardee Road, Boy Scout Boulevard, Farmgate Drive, McLewean Street, and Westwood Road.  updated 1/2026

PSC Lift Station Replacement Project

The City of Kinston appropriated $175,000 from the Wastewater Fund to replace the existing sewer lift station at the Kinston Public Service Complex.   Numerous issues have occurred at the current station in recent years.  Bid was awarded to A.C.  Shultzes in the amount of $165,501.00.  Work was completed in March, 2025.  updated 1/2026

For more detailed information about any of these projects, please see the 2024 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report