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Access of Goforth Road Near Green Park Inn To Be Terminated as 321 Widening Continues

goforth

By Jesse Wood

As early as next Wednesday, the N.C. Department of Transportation will terminate access to and from Goforth Road near Green Park Inn for good.

Caprice Cheek, engineering technician with the NCDOT and operator of the U.S. 321 information line, noted that this significant change was in the plans all along. Cheek mentioned that the termination of this access was in the plans from the beginning and approved by the town and by the state’s historic preservation officer.

In order to notify the public, the NCDOT and the contractor personnel with Maymead Inc. will install message boards and signs advertising this change as soon as today. In addition, the Town of Blowing Rock will notify residents on the town’s CodeRED automated alert system.

As it stands, the U.S. 321 widening project is moving along. Last summer, NCDOT officials met with frustrated residents and the Blowing Rock Civic Association about the completion date of this project. NCDOT Chief Engineer committed to the project being “substantially complete” by the Fourth of July.

Cheek noted that the project is currently undergoing a “flip and flop situation” as traffic pattern shifts occur and operations continue. Below is the most recent traffic report from the NCDOT:

The temporary southbound traffic shift near Food Lion Shopping Center is now complete.  Paving operations near Food Lion are still in progress.  Utilities excavation along the median from Cliff Dwellers Inn towards Tanger Outlets is nearing completion, however, a traffic shift for northbound traffic in this area is still in place.  Motorist can expect SIGNIFICANT CONGESTION AND DELAYS in this area.  Motorists are strongly encouraged to slow down, remain alert and to allow extra time when traveling to and through this area.

The temporary traffic shift for all traffic from Green Park Inn to Pinnacle Ave near Canyon’s Restaurant is also complete.  This shift is expected to last for several weeks in order for contractor personnel to perform retaining wall construction and various other work through this area.   Motorists are strongly encouraged to slow down and remain alert while traveling through this area of the project.

For more details regarding these construction operations or for general project information or if you need assistance in traveling to/through the area, call the project’s hotline at 828-964-3260.