ROCKY MOUNT – State highway crews plan to close a major Rocky Mount intersection starting Monday to make permanent repairs to the storm drainage system.
The closure will begin about 7 a.m. at West Raleigh Boulevard and South Franklin Street, which is also U.S. 301 Business. Drivers will be detoured around the intersection until the project is completed by March 19, weather permitting.
The N.C. Department of Transportation maintenance workers must dig more than 15 feet into the ground to replace a drainage pipe that is made of terra cotta and over 50 years old. The new pipe will be made of a more durable reinforced concrete.
The department recently made a temporary repair to the intersection and reopened it after filling in a sinkhole that had formed due to the failing drainage pipe and recent rainfall.
Drivers should expect longer commutes during the closure, and proceed cautiously near the work site.
The following signed detours will be set up:
- Raleigh Boulevard eastbound: left onto South Grace Street, right onto Nash Street, right onto Arlington Street, returning to Raleigh Boulevard.
- Raleigh Boulevard westbound: same as above, but in reverse.
- South Franklin Street, which is one-way, has two detours options, depending on which direction drivers want to go on Raleigh Boulevard (N.C. 97):
Going south on N.C. 97: right onto Hammond Street, left onto South Grace Street, returning to Raleigh Boulevard.
Going north on N.C. 97: left onto Nash Street, right onto Arlington Street, returning to Raleigh Boulevard.