Frigid temperatures have stopped work on the widening of U.S. 421.

Frank Gioscio, resident engineer for the N.C. Department of Transportation in the area, said the temperatures have caused more delays than the snow. Wind chills in the minus 10- to 20-degree range have caused the project to come to a complete stop. Gioscio said the snow can be scraped from the road and work can continue but the bitter cold is the primary cause for delays. It is not only for the safety of the workers, but also how the cold affects the equipment used. The large equipment becomes difficult to start in such low temperatures and starting it can cause damage to the engines. The project began in June to widened to six-lanes divided by a median from Grove Street, just east of N.C. 194, to U.S. 221/N.C. 105. The section of U.S. 421 (King Street) will be four lanes divided by a concrete median.