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Updates on roadwork on Church Street, U.S. 64, N.C. 191, White Street

Map shows a major project involving a two-lane roundabout at Church, Main and King streets, new bridges (red) and White Street extension to Spartanburg. [NCDOT map]

By Bill Moss, Published: March 2, 2024

Tree cutting on Brevard Road in Laurel Park, the removal of buildings on N.C. 191 and culvert work along Highland Lake Road are the most visible signs of ongoing and upcoming NCDOT road projects.

While the biggest project to affect motorists — the six-laning of I-26 from the county line to Four Seasons Boulevard — is on schedule, other projects have been pushed back for a variety of reasons, Troy Wilson, the DOT’s chief engineer for Henderson County, told the county Transportation Advisory Committee last week.

“You've probably seen some tree cutting on (N.C.) 191,” Wilson told the committee. “That being said, we're probably going to have to postpone 191 to August of next year just because we’ve got to get all the utility relocation partners on board and get everything reviewed and submitted on time.

“Our projects are getting pushed back for multiple reasons. This particular one, it's utilities. There's so much work going on in the state. We have six major projects going on here in Henderson County. Duke Power — those guys are wide open. They’re calling in every sub from anywhere they can get them to come in and work. There's just so much work there’s not enough hours in the day.”

The projected contract let date of the $145.8 million widening of N.C. 191 from N.C. 280 to Mountain Road had been January of 2025.

The repaving of Church Street is scheduled this summer “and with that there will be resurfacing all around the county,” Wilson said.

Here are other projects currently under way, percent completed, construction cost and projected completion:

• Highland Lake Road, $6.7 million, 44 percent, a revised completion date is being developed. The contractor is expected to close the road again soon to replace a large culvert.
• I-26 Green River bridge expansion, $25 million, 61 percent, June 2024.
• King Street-North Main repaving, $2½ million, 86 percent, striping delayed for weather.
• I-26 drainage repairs, Saluda Grade, $16.5 million, 70 percent, March 2024.

Here are projects in the adopted NCDOT plan, estimated cost and projected date to awarda contract:

• Clear Creek Greenway, Berkeley Mills Park to Lakewood Road (near Sam’s Club), $1.8 million, June 2024.
• S. 64 improvement and roundabouts from Blythe Street to Daniel Drive, $31.75 million, July 2024.
• Ecusta Trail from U.S. 64 to county line, $13.1 million, September 2027.
• Blythe Street sidewalk, $2.1 million, September 2026.
• South Grove Street sidewalk, $2.7 million, July 2026.
• I-26 exit 49 (Four Seasons Boulevard) interchange redesign, $29.5 million, January 2029.
• South Main Street realignment and White Street extension, $46.1 million, October 2026.