RALEIGH
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NCDOT engineers have determined the damage caused by a culvert fire under Cary
Parkway Thursday night, March 21, between Two Creeks Road and Lake Pine Drive
will require the replacement of 100 feet of pipe. That will keep at least the
westbound side of the road at that location closed for about three weeks.
The
fire caused extensive damage to a 12-by-8-foot culvert under the road (see
attached picture). The cause of the fire is being investigated by the Cary
Police Department.
Engineers
considered inserting a "slip line", which is essentially a smaller pipe, into
the culvert to provide support to the damaged sections, but they determined
that was not a viable option. The damaged pipe must be removed, which will
require tearing up the pavement, with the road then re-paved once the new pipe
is in place. The estimated cost of the repair is at least $400,000.
Because
this is considered an emergency repair, the usual bidding process is not
required. A contractor should be hired by the end of next week. The replacement
pipe must be custom made and that is expected to take about a week as well.
Cary
officials were able to open the eastbound lanes to traffic in time for Friday
morning rush hour traffic, and those lanes are expected to remain open for now.
However, the westbound lanes will remain closed, and the entire road will have
to be shut down once construction begins. Access to the residential communities
along the road will remain open during construction.
Westbound
traffic is currently being diverted to Tryon Road, then right onto Lake Pines
Drive. Motorists are also encouraged to seek other alternate routes.
The
section of Cary Parkway in this area carries as many as 30,000 vehicles a day.
NCDOT
reminds motorists to watch signs for construction information, stay alert and
obey the posted speed limit. Updated travel information is also available by
calling 511 or online at www.ncdot.gov/travel. In
addition, NCDOT now offers travel information on Twitter.
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