Soon all of the road construction work through Blowing Rock will be an afterthought.
The final paving continues through the town section of U.S. 321 in Blowing Rock. Crews have begun laying the final layer of asphalt along U.S. 321 in Blowing Rock, but the rain has delayed the construction schedule. Blowing Rock News reported that the work should be complete by the following Friday or Saturday – if the weather holds up, of course.
The entire four-mile project stretches from Blackberry Road in Caldwell County to the Tanger Outlets, adjacent to downtown Blowing Rock. The project is divided into two areas. Area 1 is more of the commercial area from U.S. 321 Business/South Main Street toward Boone, while Area 2 is the more rural stretch of highway from U.S. 321 Business/South Main Street toward Lenoir.
Speaking in July, NCDOT District Supervisor Doug Eller stated that the goal was to finish the entire project before winter hits the High Country.
“We’re making really good progress right now and getting a lot done,” Eller said. “We are still targeting the end of 2017. Our goal is to try to hit completion before winter.”
This project is now in its sixth year. Taylor and Murphy Construction was originally awarded the contract for this widening project in late 2011. However, the company went bankrupt soon thereafter, and in early 2013, Maymead was awarded the contract to takeover and finish the project. The contract for the entire project is $66.4 million.
See photos taken earlier this summer along U.S. 321 in Blowing Rock here.
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