Work near completion on U.S. 21

Motorists can still expect delays due to lane closings on U.S. 21 between Sparta and Twin Oaks for the next few weeks.

Relief is coming soon, however. The widening/straightening project has already made the drive north of Sparta somewhat smoother and faster — that is, when crews are not working.

"Things are going well," said David Poindexter, resident engineer for the N.C. Department of Transportation (DOT), who is based in Dobson. "The major work is done."

The project, which was begun in November 2000, is well ahead of schedule. While the completion date was initially set for Dec. 30 of this year, Poindexter said the DOT hopes the roadway part of the work will be done by mid-July.

The new stretch of road — east of the old road, just south of Twin Oaks — opened to traffic about two weeks ago. Crews have already begun tearing out the old road. On other portions of the highway, the existing road is being widened.

"There will be lane closings through the end of June, until we get everything paved out and finished," Poindexter said. Guardrails will also be reinstalled.

The new road will be a three-lane highway, including a center turn lane. Work also continues at Hendrix Road, where sewer lines had to be relocated. The new line has been installed and paving is underway.

Seedings have been done along the roadside. Some related work will be done in the fall, Poindexter said, when plantings will be done down banks and around fish ponds to replenish disturbed plant life. That work requires cool weather..

The project contractor is James R. Vannoy & Sons of Jefferson. Poindexter said the contract price of $5,096,856 has not changed, although overruns of about $30,000 have been incurred.

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