SELMA – Work to widen Ricks Road – a shortcut between U.S. 301 and U.S. 70 in Selma – is scheduled to start Monday.
Fred Smith Co. of Raleigh will widen the two-lane road to accommodate a center turn lane, improve the road’s drainage system and construct concrete curbs and gutters. After the N.C. Department of Transportation awarded the $3.6 million contract this spring, workers relocated utilities before construction could commence.
The addition of a middle lane will ease congestion and make it safer for traffic to turn left. On the average day, 7,000 vehicles use Ricks Road – a figure projected to increase to 9,000 a day in 20 years.
During construction, motorists can expect lane closures along Ricks Road with flagging operations.
The project is scheduled to wrap by spring 2020.
Transportation officials remind the public to slow down in the work zone, watch for construction signs and stay alert.