Contractors have closed a section of an eastern Columbus highway for the construction of a bridge as part of an interchange project.
The portion of N.C. 11 between Salter Road and N.C. 87 is closing today (Monday) for seven months to allow a culvert to be replaced with a bridge. The project is part of the N.C. 11/87 interchange improvements.
A detour will be posted sending drivers onto N.C. 87 (Old Stage Road), Woodyard, Old Lake and General Howe roads. Drivers should factor the detour into their commute and approach the closure with caution, the DOT said in a press release.
This will be one of four bridges that will be built as part of this project, which eventually will carry N.C. 11 over N.C. 87 at a new interchange by 2026.
The state announced the overpass project last year. Currently, N.C. 87 at N.C. 11 is a four-way stop. The four-way as established after a series of collisions involving tractor trailers and passenger vehicles. A state highway contractor will build the interchange where N.C. 87 and N.C. 11 cross near Sandyfield. The project will carry N.C. 11 over N.C. 87, which will be widened to four lanes in this vicinity. On and off ramps will be built to connect the two highways.
The N.C. Department of Transportation awarded the $36 million contract to Balfour Beatty Infrastructure Inc. of Wilmington.The bid was the lowest among six proposals received for this project. Construction is scheduled to be completed by the summer of 2026.
The contractor will build a new bridge over N.C. 87 while maintaining traffic on N.C. 11. After completion, traffic on N.C. 11 will be shifted onto the new bridge.
The department made this location an all-way stop in 2017 to improve safety until this project could be designed, funded and constructed.
