Q. The DOT has justifiably redirected U.S. 17 in front of Hewitt Burton road neighborhoods, Snee Farm, Stoney Creek and all those that live on Snowfield Road and Highway 87 over the last year or so. I understand the redirection is required in order to maintain traffic flow and build a major intersection of I-140. When will the access road in front of the three or four neighborhoods be complete in both directions? Who can I call for more specific timeline?
A. Wayne Currie, N.C. Department of Transportation Division 3 engineer, acknowledges that the construction of the project has been an inconvenience for residents living in the area, particularly those in the Stoney Creek and Snee Farm subdivisions.
The good news is that the end is in sight.
“There have been numerous traffic flow changes during (the project) in this area,” Currie said.
“We have had to replace three drainage culverts beneath the existing U.S. 17 while maintaining traffic and drainage, requiring the numerous changes,” he said. “It has been an inconvenience for the residents living in the area. However, we are nearing completion of the service road.”
The new service road is currently closed between the Snee Farm subdivision (Bridle Way) and Hewitt-Burton Road.
“It is closed to construct the last remaining section of the drainage culvert. Once this section of culvert can be constructed, the service road will be completed and opened to traffic both directions. I am anticipating that this will take 45 to 60 days,” Currie said.
He said that over the next several months, the contractor will continue construction of the median crossovers on U.S. 17.
“During the construction of median crossovers, they will be closed and traffic will be redirected to the next crossover,” Currie said. “We will continue to use message boards to notify the traveling public of traffic flow changes on U.S. 17.”
The section of the bypass under construction is on schedule and should be completed and opened to traffic by late summer, Currie said.
“I want to thank everyone living in the area for their patience through all of this construction. If they have any questions please call and we will do our best to help,” he said.
Currie said that anyone with questions about the ongoing construction can call his office at (910) 251-2691.
RELATED LINKS:
StarNews: Traffic on U.S. 17 moves to new lanes
When is the Interstate 40 link to U.S. 17 scheduled to be completed? Is the project funded?
When will the rest of the I-140 bypass open? Where will it connect to U.S. 74/76?
Date posted: February 22, 2013
User-contributed question by:
Doug Dillmann
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