10/06/14 — Street paving to snarl traffic

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Street paving to snarl traffic

By Staff Reports
Published in News on October 6, 2014 1:46 PM

Two street paving projects, both requiring lane closures, are scheduled to begin this week on two of Goldsboro's busiest streets.

To avoid delays, officials are recommending drivers use alternate routes.

Starting today, crews with S.T. Wooten Co. of Wilson will begin a repaving project on Spence Avenue between Royall Avenue and Park Drive in the vicinity of the U.S. 70 interchange. The work is expected to take three to four days to complete, weather permitting.

On Friday, Wooten will begin a repaving project on Wayne Memorial Drive between 11th Street and Country Day Road. The $425,000 resurfacing and median construction project on Wayne Memorial is designed to improve safety and driving conditions along the heavily congested road.

Once the existing pavement has been milled, temporary pavement markings will be installed and crews will begin construction of a concrete median in the current middle lane of Wayne Memorial Drive. After the concrete for the median has been poured, S.T. Wooten will then finish paving the road.

It is expected to take about four weeks, weather permitting, to complete the work.

Constructing a median will improve safety along the road by preventing traffic from turning left in front of oncoming vehicles, transportation officials said.

The median will be between existing signals at intersections along Wayne Memorial Drive.

Traffic on Wayne Memorial Drive wanting to turn left at areas where there is not an intersection will travel to the next break in the median, make a U-turn, and then turn right at its destination.

By paving the road and constructing the median at the same time, crews will be able to save time, money and materials on the project, as well as eliminate the need for additional lane closures at a later date, the officials said.

Lane closures will be in place during construction, and motorists are advised to use caution while traveling in the area and to expect delays.

Also, state DOT officials remind motorists to watch signs for construction information, to stay alert and to obey the posted speed limit.