HUDSON – An N.C. Department of Transportation contractor will take another step toward improving a Caldwell County intersection this week.
Crews from HEI Civil Carolinas LLC, of Charlotte, began converting the U.S. 321 and Mission Road intersection to a reduced conflict intersection in February.
As work progresses, temporary traffic signals will be used to manage traffic on U.S. 321 near the intersection. From midnight to 1 a.m. Tuesday, crews will briefly stop traffic on U.S. 321 four times for approximately 10 minutes each time to raise cables for the temporary signals across the road. Flaggers will direct traffic throughout the process.
Once the $13.3 million reduced conflict intersection project is completed, drivers wishing to go straight across U.S. 321 from Mission Road or Lower Cedar Valley Road will turn right onto U.S. 321, then use a designated, signalized lane to make a U-turn onto U.S. 321 before turning right onto the road. Drivers on U.S. 321 wishing to turn left onto either road will use a designated lane and traffic signal.
Upon completion, drivers wishing to go straight across U.S. 321 from Mission Road or Lower Cedar Valley Road will turn right onto U.S. 321, then turn around using a designated, signalized U-turn bulb-out, then turn right onto the road. Drivers on U.S. 321 wishing to turn left onto either road will use a designated lane and traffic signal.
This is the first of three U.S. 321 intersections in Caldwell County to be redesigned to improve safety and mobility. The intersections with Mount Herman Road and Pine Mountain Road will be advertised for bids later this year. The contract calls for construction of the Mission Road intersection to finish by fall 2027.
Each of the intersection redesigns are part of the larger U.S. 321 widening project, which will widen U.S. 321 to six lanes between U.S. 70 in Hickory and Southwest Boulevard in Lenoir. Transportation officials anticipate awarding a contract for the first portion of the widening project, from U.S. 70 in Hickory to U.S. 321 Alternate in Granite Falls, in 2027.
For real-time travel information, visit DriveNC.gov or follow NCDOT on social media.