RALEIGH — The next bridge to be replaced as part of the Interstate 440 Improvements Project is the Athens Drive structure over the Beltline.
This bridge will close on Sunday evening for approximately one year as crews demolish the existing structure and construct its replacement.
For the next year, a signed detour will direct drivers south and east of the Beltline to take Kaplan Drive to Melbourne Road to cross I-440, then Powell Drive, Western Boulevard and Jones Franklin Road to get to Athens Drive on the opposite side of I-440. Motorists north and west of the Beltline will follow a detour on the same streets, but in reverse.
Overnight closures are planned for I-440 on Sunday through Thursday evenings from midnight until 5 a.m. the next day to accommodate the safe demolition of the bridge.
Work will begin on I-440 East at Athens Drive for two or three nights before flipping over to the westbound side.
Eastbound travelers will exit I-440 at Jones Franklin Road and follow a detour to Western Boulevard back to the Beltline. Drivers heading west will take the Western Boulevard exit and turn left on Jones Franklin to get back to I-440.
Also beginning Sunday evening, Beryl Road will be closed for about three weeks between Pylon Drive and Method Road. On Monday, crews will begin erecting the crane that will be used to place the girders on the new I-440 bridge over Hillsborough Street, Beryl Road, and the railroad tracks.
During this closure, traffic will be detoured to Hillsborough Street to get around the closure.
Drivers need to pay extra attention and anticipate needing a little extra time for the detours.