Haywood County's Bridge Projects: Modernizing Infrastructure with Federal Support

Haywood 'County -- August 4, 2024: Haywood County is advancing a series of bridge replacement projects

on Interstate 40, financed by the American Infrastructure and Reinvestment Act passed in late 2021. These projects aim to upgrade aging infrastructure, enhance travel safety, and reduce long-term maintenance costs across the county.

Key Projects and Timeline   

Beaverdam Road Bridges:
Two bridges on I-40 over Beaverdam Road are being replaced with a single arched structure. This $33 million project commenced in July 2024 and is scheduled to be completed by April 2028. Traffic will remain open with minimal disruptions (BPR).

White Oak Road and Jonathan Creek Bridges:
Part of a comprehensive five-bridge replacement plan, these projects utilize a Construction Manager/General Contractor approach to lower costs and speed up completion. These replacements, featuring two 12-foot travel lanes in each direction, are set to conclude by 2028 (BPR).

Incinerator Road and Champion Drive (N.C. 215) Bridges:
Replacements are scheduled to begin in fiscal year 2023, focusing on enhancing resilience and safety (BPR).

Thickety Road Bridge:

The project will begin in 2024, continuing the modernization efforts along the I-40 corridor (BPR).

Coleman Mountain Road Bridges and U.S. 74 West Ramp Bridge over I-40: Scheduled for replacement starting in fiscal year 2027, these projects mark the next phase in upgrading the county's transportation network (BPR).

Impact and Significance

These bridge projects reflect the goals of the American Infrastructure and Reinvestment Act, which emphasizes upgrading critical infrastructure to support economic growth and connectivity.
By investing in Haywood County's transportation network, the projects aim to improve travel efficiency and safety along a vital corridor, ensuring that the infrastructure meets the region's needs for decades to come (BPR).

The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) is overseeing these projects, striving to minimize traffic disruptions while executing the upgrades. This initiative underscores the federal and state commitment to enhancing infrastructure and supporting regional development (BPR).

For more information and updates, please visit the NCDOT website ncdot.org

WNCTimes
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