WHITEVILLE – A main artery into downtown Whiteville will close next week for 90 days to construct a roundabout that will improve safety and traffic flow.
The closure where U.S. 701 Business (South Madison Street) converges with South Franklin and South Lee streets is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. July 20. (The original state date of July 14 was postponed due to weather.)
State highway contract crews need the closure to safely pour the concrete apron and center island, construct the curbs and gutters, and pave and then restripe the intersection.
Weather permitting, the roundabout will fully open to traffic by late October, replacing the existing traffic signal.
Until then, the detour for U.S. 701 Business will be as follows:
- Drivers headed north on U.S. 701 Business will turn right onto South Franklin Street, then left onto East Main Street to return to the highway.
- Drivers headed south on U.S. 701 Business will turn right at West Main Street, then left onto South Lee Street to return to the highway.
Because of the closed intersection, the southbound lane of South Franklin Street beginning at Caldis Street also will be closed, and the northbound lane of South Lee Street up to Frazier Street will be closed during this 90-day period.
State transportation officials remind drivers to plan ahead, remain alert and obey all posted traffic signs.
Construction of this $1.8 million project began in June.