One Mile stretch of Howard Gap to be closed
MILLS RIVER – Another project to repair a road damaged by the natural disasters of May is set to start.
A contractor for the N.C. Department of Transportation will close a one-mile stretch of Howard Gap Road in Polk County this week in order to perform permanent repairs to the road that suffered damage during massive storms in May. No vehicles will be allowed in the work zone due to the dangerous nature of the construction.
A $1.5 million contract has been awarded to Tennoca Const. Co. to perform the repairs which may conclude in November.
“We have to rebuild the road,” Division 14 Construction Engineer Ted Adams said. “The damage was similar to what we saw on U.S. 176 with debris, but with wash-outs in the ditch-line.”
Crews will rebuild the road with new support underneath, they’ll repair or replace drain pipes and culverts, cut new ditches, repave the surface and bring the road up to modern standards.
The closure, which has been in place since May 19, will keep all traffic off Howard Gap Road
between Indian Mountain Road and Page Road. The western end Howard Gap Road will remain accessible from Ozone Drive, and the southern side of the repairs are accessible from Lynn Road.
Transportation officials remind motorists to obey all posted signs, follow the instructions of flaggers and slow down in work zones.
For real-time travel information, visit DriveNC.gov or follow
NCDOT on Twitter