WAYNESVILLE – A contractor for the N.C. Department of Transportation will close the ramp from U.S. 19 to U.S. 23/74 for four straight nights starting Monday, March 23.
Closing the ramp, which takes drivers from Lake Junaluska onto U.S. 74 toward Clyde and points beyond, from 7 p.m. until 5 a.m., each night allows crews to accelerate construction activities and eliminates additional daytime disruptions.
The marked detour will direct drivers down U.S. 276 to U.S. 23/74.
These operations are part of a $42.5 million project to replace parallel bridges on U.S. 23/74 over Richland Creek and the bridge connecting U.S. 19 to U.S. 23/74, which upgrades them to modern standards.
The contract calls for completion in the spring of 2028. The existing lane closure on U.S. 23/74 West will be removed in 2-4 weeks when a separate operation on the bridge is complete.
Transportation officials advise drivers to plan ahead and drive with caution when approaching and travelling through active work zones.