Motorists Advised to Expect Delays as U.S. 21 Widening Continues

SHELBY-- Construction is progressing on the U.S. 21 widening project in Alleghany County, and theN.C. Department of Transportationis advising motorists of possible delays in the area as work continues.

Work began May 1 to widen U.S. 21 from Oklahoma Road to Pine Swamp Road.The nearly 10-mile widening project includes the replacement of two culverts with bridges and the replacement of five box culverts.These structures will be replaced by use of phase construction, where temporary signals will be used to maintain one-lane, two-way traffic.

At times during construction, lane closures will be necessary. The lane closures will be installed using flagging operations and through the use of temporary signals. Delays can be expected.NCDOT will lessen the project's impact on the traveling public by limiting any delays that might occur from 6-9 a.m. and 4-6 p.m.

The project should be finished by the end of March 2018.

The contractor for the$17,746,033 projectis James R. Vannoy & Sons Construction, Inc.