Berkeley project nearly finished
By Rochelle Moore
Published in News on May 30, 2016 1:46 PM
A yearlong road widening project along North Berkeley Boulevard is nearing completion with a planned opening in late July or early August.
The $3 million N.C. Department of Transportation project, designed to alleviate congestion along the busy thoroughfare, includes the addition of a southbound lane from Royall Avenue to New Hope Road.
Giles Harrell, DOT District 3 engineer, said the project, originally planned for completion in June, was delayed due to complications from communication and fiber-optic lines in the area.
"We've had some utility conflicts," Harrell said. "We've been working on that since December."
The delay also pushed back work on the replacement of a culvert near Adamsville Baptist Church. Construction crews recently opened up the southbound lanes, which have remained partially closed most of the year while an additional lane was added to the roadway.
The widening project includes the addition of one southbound lane and increases Berkeley Boulevard to a five-lane roadway, Harrell said.
A new traffic pattern shifted to the northbound side of the road, just before the Memorial Day weekend. Traffic barriers, which close off sections on the northbound side, were moved to prepare for the culvert replacement. The work will start June 6 and is expected to last at least four weeks, Harrell said.
"I'd say the majority of the work is done," Harrell said of the project, which started last year, in July.
After the culvert work is finished, crews will pave the road and prepare for its opening.
"We are nearing completion of the project," Harrell said. "Late July or early August is when I'm anticipating completion."
The Raleigh-based Fred Smith Co. is under contract with DOT on the project, which included coordination with city officials on the addition of new sidewalks along the route.
The project is expected to improve traffic flow along one of the city's busiest thoroughfares, which is anticipated to increase to almost 30,000 vehicles per day within 20 years, according to DOT estimates.