RALEIGH - With a new U.S.
70/N.C. 50 bridge over U.S. 401 now open in South Raleigh, it is time for
the old bridge to be torn down. Northbound U.S. 401 will be closed between 9
p.m. on Friday, Nov. 15 and 6 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 18 so the contractor can
take down the bridge that served motorists for the past 61 years.
A short detour will be in place, with law enforcement sending
traffic onto Mechanical Boulevard, and westbound U.S. 70 to U.S. 401 North.
The new bridge opened for single lane traffic at midnight last
Saturday, with both lanes open by Monday morning. It has a higher clearance
over the highway than the old bridge, with wider shoulders on the roadway
approaching the bridge.
While the new bridge is now open, there is still a detour for drivers
who want to make a left-hand turn on Mechanical Boulevard from U.S. 70 East.
They will have to take Timber Road to get to Mechanical Boulevard until the $3
million project wraps up in early December.
This replacement project is part of the NCDOT's state-funded bridge
plan, which invests in preserving, repairing or replacing bridges statewide.
For more information on this plan, visit our Bridge Improvement Program webpage.
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