FAYETTEVILLE – A contractor soon will
begin replacing three bridges that serve as loops to Interstate 95 in Cumberland
County.
The N.C. Department of Transportation recently awarded a nearly
$4.9 million contract to S.T. Wooten Corp. of Wilson to replace the bridges,
starting in March. The projects will require road closures and detours.
Crews first will begin replacing the U.S. 301 northbound bridge
that arches over the southbound I-95 Business loop in Hope Mills. The
59-year-old bridge is where I-95 and 95 Business split. Motorists will be
detoured onto Roslin Farm, Braxton and State roads, which closely parallel I-95,
to reach I-95 Business.
After the project is completed in about eight months, the
contractor will close and begin replacing the two I-95 Business bridges (the
northbound and sounthbound lanes) that cross Dunn Road near I-95’s Exit 56 in
Eastover. The 61-year-old bridges are considered structurally deficient, which
means that while they remain safe, they require expensive maintenance.
During the closure, changeable message signs will direct motorists
to use either the N.C. 24 or N.C. 87 exits on I-95.
This was one of eight road and bridge projects recently awarded by
the department. They were worth about $110.6 million, about $20.2 million under
engineer estimates.