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U.S. 321/221 Bridge in Boone to Undergo Partial Replacement Starting April 30; Alt. Route Set Up

See photo gallery below.

April 26, 2012. The N.C. Department of Transportation will close three of five lanes on the U.S. 321/221 bridge in Boone over Flannery Fork Creek adjacent to the Burger King at Boone Heights Drive starting Monday, April 30, weather permitting, for a partial bridge replacement project. 

NCDOT awarded the $654,382 contract to R.E. Burns and Sons of Statesville. The project is scheduled to be completed 60 days after construction begins.

The current bridge was built in two stages. The original bridge (middle three lanes) was built in 1947 and was widened in the 1970s. This project involves replacing the deck and upper bridge supports in the older section of the bridge.

There will be one lane open in each direction on the bridge. However, those lanes may close periodically during construction. Alternate routes have been set up for local traffic to get around the project work zone during these times. 

Northbound traffic can turn right on Deerfield Road, left on State Farm Road and left on Shadowline Drive to get back onto U.S. 321/221. Southbound traffic can turn right onto Meadowview Drive, left on Leola Street and left on Watauga Village Drive to get back to U.S. 321/221.

For motorists that want to get on Boone Heights Drive off U.S. 321 South, turn left on Shadowline Drive, right onto State Farm Road and right on Boone Heights Drive. To get back onto U.S. 321 South off Boone Heights Drive, motorists can turn right onto State Farm Road, right on Deerfield Road and left on U.S. 321 South. A map showing the alternate routes is attached. 

NCDOT reminds motorists to watch signs for construction information, stay alert and obey the posted speed limit.

Up-to-date road closure information is available by calling 511 or online at www.ncdot.gov/travel. In addition, NCDOT now offers travel information via Twitter at www.ncdot.gov/travel/twitter. Another option is NCDOT Mobile, a phone-friendly version of the NCDOT website. To access it, type “m.ncdot.gov” into the browser of your smartphone. Then, bookmark it to save for future reference. NCDOT Mobile is compatible with the iPhone, Android and some newer Blackberry phones. 

For more information on this project, contact NCDOT Division 11 Resident Engineer Doug Eller at 828-265-5088.

Photo Gallery
Photos by Ken Ketchie 

Click on the first photo, then use the arrow key to flip through the gallery.

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