ROCKINGHAM – The interchange where U.S. 1 crosses over U.S. 74 Bypass in Rockingham will close starting March 9 to construct a pair of roundabouts and perform bridge maintenance.
A contractor for the N.C. Department of Transportation is building roundabouts on either end of the on/off ramps at this interchange, as well as constructing a raised median in this vicinity for improved safety.
The contractor will close U.S. 1 in both directions at this junction starting Monday. The contractor plans to reopen U.S. 1 and the on/off ramps by April 15, weather permitting.
NCDOT has opted to use this closure to also conduct preservation work that will extend the life of the bridge and make the concrete riding deck smoother. This maintenance can be done efficiently while it's closed to traffic; the alternative would have been doing this work under lane closures for about six months.
U.S. 1 will be detoured around the bridge onto West Eason Drive, Old Cheraw Highway and Spring Street.
Drivers on U.S. 74 will be able to travel underneath the overpass while it is closed, but not use Exit 311. Instead, they will be directed to use Exit 316 and onto N.C. 177 and Airport Road to access U.S. 1.
Drivers should be mindful these detours will increase their commutes and be cautious where equipment and construction crews are working.
The project is expected to be completed this summer.