After being postponed for several weeks due to wet weather, work will resume this weekend on a N.C. Department of Transportation project to preserve the bridges carrying I-40 over the Yadkin River at the Forsyth-Davie county line.
Crews have completed the concrete installation on the westbound bridge and will begin replacing concrete on the eastbound bridge deck this weekend. The work will require the full closure of I-40 East at N.C. 801 (Exit 180) beginning tonight at 8 p.m., until 6 a.m. on Monday, July 22. A second weekend closure is scheduled for July 26-29. All dates are dependent on favorable weather.
During the closure, motorists traveling locally on I-40 East should take N.C. 801 (Exit 180) to U.S. 158/Clemmons Road to Harper Road back to I-40 East as a detour.
For motorists traveling to Winston-Salem or points east, NCDOT encourages the use of I-77 North (Exit 51B) to U.S. 421 South (Exit 73A) to I-40 East as an alternate route. Another alternate route is U.S. 601 North to U.S. 421 South to I-40 East.
In addition to the weekend closures, motorists can expect intermittent weeknight lane closures on this two-mile stretch of I-40 East. These closures may occur from 8 p.m. until 6 a.m. on weeknights through Friday, Aug. 16, weather permitting. At least one lane will remain open at all times during the weeknight closures.
The preservation project will improve the condition of the 55-year old bridges and is necessary to ensure these bridges remain safe for travel through this high traffic area.
NCDOT continues to work with surrounding communities to get the word out about the closures. Area businesses will remain open throughout the project and local traffic is encouraged to use alternate routes to access those businesses, particularly during peak travel times. Message boards and signs in the area will alert motorists to alternate routes, and local law enforcement will direct traffic as necessary.
“Bridge preservation projects like this one are necessary to ensure the longer term safety and viability of important roadways that connect our communities,” said NCDOT Division Engineer Pat Ivey. “While we are working through weekends to finish as quickly as possible, we know there is a short term impact to people who live, work and shop in the area. That’s why we are working to divert as much traffic as possible to alternate routes and will continue our efforts to inform motorists statewide of the work schedule and encourage the patronage of local businesses.”
Weather permitting, the N.C. Department of Transportation will remove concrete barrier wall and replace pavement markings next week on U.S. 52 in Winston-Salem as the U.S. 52 Improvement Project progresses.
Crews will close the right lane of U.S. 52 North near U.S. 421/Business 40 at 8 p.m. on Monday, July 22 to remove the concrete barrier wall. The lane will reopen by 6 a.m. on Tuesday, July 23.
The following evening, crews will remove existing pavement markings and install new ones in preparation for the opening of the new acceleration lane from westbound U.S. 421/Business 40 to U.S 52 North. This work will require the closure of U.S. 52 North near U.S. 421/Business 40, beginning at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, July 23 through 6 a.m. on Wednesday, July 24.
During the closures, motorists on U.S. 52 North should use the following signed detour:
U.S. 52 North to eastbound Business 40 (Exit 109A) to Martin Luther King Jr. Drive (Exit 6C) back to U.S. 52 North.
Motorists on U.S. 421/Business 40 should use Exit 6C to access U.S. 52 North.
The work is part of the U.S. 52 Improvement Project, which includes streamlining and repaving one-half mile of U.S. 52 from U.S. 421/Business 40 to Akron Drive, and improving part of Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in Winston-Salem. The $13.1 million project is scheduled to be complete later this summer.