NEWTON – The N.C. Department of Transportation plans to open all lanes of traffic on N.C. 16 in Catawba County today as construction nears completion.
The 8-mile project is widening N.C. 16 from a two-lane route to a four-lane divided roadway from Tower Road to Claremont Road south of Newton to improve traffic service for motorists in the area.
“The Highway 16 expansion has been a long time coming, and we appreciate how patient our citizens have been through this process,” said Catawba County Board of Commissioners Vice Chair Barbara Beatty. “Catawba County is grateful to everyone who helped make this expansion happen.”
The contractor will still be completing some final outstanding work items along the project over the next few months that can be accomplished outside the travel way or under a short-term lane closure. Motorists are urged to use caution and stay alert for workers within the work zone.
“The opening of N.C. 16, for economic development purposes, is a huge key to formally connecting the Hickory MSA and the Charlotte MSA and unlocking the potential of ‘Charlotte’s Great Northwest’ into Catawba County and beyond,” said Scott Millar, president of the Catawba County Economic and Development Corporation. “The direct linkage of these two MSAs with the new N.C. 16 connector is huge.”