GOLDSBORO – A half-mile of West Grantham Street will be reconstructed for improved safety for vehicles and pedestrians, after the N.C. Department of Transportation awarded an $8.8 million contract this week.
A major portion of this contract will be to replace the street's bridge over the CSX railroad. The bridge was built in 1926 and reconstructed in 1961. This work will require the bridge to close for about 18 months; the department will announce the timeline for this work later.
The other aspect of this project is to resurface and restripe a new traffic pattern along West Grantham Street between the U.S. 13/70/117 interchange and North George Street. Sidewalks, storm drains and concrete curbs will also be built on both sides of West Grantham Street from the railroad bridge to North George Street.
This street now has two travel lanes in each direction. The future pattern will consist of one through lane in each direction and a center turn lane, allowing for drivers to more safely make left turns at several intersections. By reducing one lane, the department is able to add the sidewalks without impacting homes and businesses.
The road, which carries about 8,000 vehicles a day, no longer requires four lanes, according to a traffic analysis. The city of Goldsboro has approved of the department's plans to restripe West Grantham Street into three lanes and add sidewalks.
Blythe Construction Inc. can begin the project this spring, and the Charlotte contractor will have until the summer of 2028 to complete the work.