RALEIGH - The U.S. 70/N.C. 50 bridge replacement project at the intersection
with U.S. 401 south of Raleigh will require the northbound lanes of U.S. 401 to
be closed this weekend. The closure between Mechanical Boulevard and U.S. 70
westbound will be in effect from 9 p.m. on Friday through 6 a.m. Monday.
The closure is needed so crews can safely install storm drainage and
new pavement along U.S. 401 under the U.S. 70 eastbound bridge.
Motorists will have a short signed detour, turning right on Mechanical
Boulevard, and then left to get onto U.S. 70/N.C. 50 toward Raleigh.
The work is part of a $3 million contract awarded Dane Construction
Inc. of Mooresville to replace the 61-year-old bridge over U.S. 401. It is
considered structurally deficient and functionally obsolete. That means it is
still safe, but has been in deteriorating condition and needed replaced, and
that it was built to design standards that no longer can handle the increased
traffic volume. The new bridge will have a higher clearance height over U.S,
401, and there will be wider shoulders on the roadway approaching the bridge.
The new structure will also be on a new location just west of the current
bridge to eliminate the need for an offsite detour in this heavily traveled
area.
The new bridge is scheduled to be in place by Dec. 1, with additional
vegetation work completed by May 30, 2014.
Because of the traffic volume through this intersection, almost all
the work will be done at night. There can't be lane closures on U.S. 401, U.S.
70 or Mechanical Boulevard between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday or
between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Sunday. In addition to this weekend, there will
be other brief closures of U.S. 401 so the current bridge girders can be safely
removed and the new girders put in place. That work can only take place between
9 p.m. on a Friday and 6 a.m. on a Monday.
This project is part of the NCDOT's $450 million state-funded bridge
plan for 2011-13, which invests in preserving, repairing or replacing bridges
statewide. For more information on this plan, visit our Bridge Improvement
Program webpage.
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.