MARSHALL — An embankment supporting a section of Bailey’s Branch Road that rises to overlook downtown has dropped and cracked the road resulting in a complete closure.
N.C. Department of Transportation crews closed the switchback section between Blannahassett Island Road and Rector Corner Road for the safety of all drivers and NCDOT crews that are removing debris.
NCDOT County Maintenance Engineer Tyler Shelton anticipates the closure lasting five to seven weeks. A marked detour along Little Pine Road and Bear Creek Road provides drivers access to Marshall from the south. The detour adds about 15 minutes to travel times compared to Bailey’s Branch Road.
A contractor, GeoStabilization Inc., has been tasked with creating the final design and conducting repairs to the hillside and the road. General plans include installing micro-piles, building a wall atop the piles, new shoulder construction, building a new road, installing guardrail and new lane markings.
“We’ve hired them to fix the embankment as well as another traditional trouble spot within the closure,” Shelton said. “We will all collaborate to expedite the repairs and complete them as quickly as possible so our residents face as little disruption as possible.”