U.S. 21 work on schedule, N.C. DOT spokesman says By ROBBY LUCKE Staff The widening of U.S. 21 north of Sparta is on schedule. That means, however, that construction will continue until late next year. David Poindexter, resident engineer with the N.C. Department of Transportation, said crews are building a new three-lane section of the highway. They are now moving water and sewer lines and building embankments in the Twin Oaks vicinity. "It's pretty much on schedule," said Poindexter. He said the project will widen U.S. 21 to three lanes from Charles Street to the intersection with U.S. 221 at Twin Oaks. The road is already three lanes in downtown Sparta.

Work continues on U.S. 21 from Sparta to Twin Oaks. The work is expected to be completed in late 2002.

DOT Division Engineer Carl McCann said that at the steepest portion of the stretch, the third lane will be a "climbing lane," also known as a slow-moving traffic lane or truck lane. Elsewhere the third lane while be a turn lane in the middle of the road.

In some sections, the project will widen the existing road. Where the road goes down the mountain, a new section is being built to the east, around the old pond. "We're taking some of the curves out," Poindexter said. "It will be easier to drive through than the current road."
 
 

Get the rest of this article in this week's issue of the Alleghany News!

Email: news@alleghanynews.com