NC DOT Awards $9.6 Million for Bridge Construction In High Country


More construction can be expected in Watauga County coming near the end of this month. 2 Watauga County bridges will be included in 15 bridges in the region that will be replaced after the NC Department of Transportation awarded a $9,6 million contract for construction. The bridges that are scheduled for the makeover include 4 bridges in Avery County, 2 in Ashe, 4 in Wilkes and one in Caldwell. The 2 bridges here in Watauga County that are getting the makeover include the bridge on Church Road in Foscoe that passes over the Watauga River as well as the bridge that passes over Cove Creek on Emory Greer Road in Zionville. The four bridges in Avery County being replaced are located on Alton Palmer Road over Curtis Creek in Cranberry;
Birchfield Creek Road over Birchfield Creek in Minneapolis; Shoemaker Road over Shoemaker Creek in Banner Elk; and Dark Ridge Road over Trivette Branch in Beech Mountain. The two bridges in Ashe County being replaced are located on Rich Hill Road over Rich Hill Creek in Clifton; and Greer Hollow Road over Greer Branch in Lansing. The construction comes after the bridges were considered to be structurally deficient as the weight limits on the bridges prevent heavier vehicles from crossing them. The replacement bridges will have an increased weight limit, allowing heavier vehicles such as tractor and trailers to pass over them. The NC DOT has stated that work on the bridges could begin by May 29th with a target completion date being November 1st of 2015.