Wilson - Drivers can expect periodic
lane closures starting this week as the N.C. Department of Transportation and
the city of Wilson begin reconstructing part of Ward Boulevard (U.S. 301) in
Wilson County.
Contract crews have begun relocating a water line where a new
storm-drainage system will be installed along a 1.4-mile segment of the
boulevard between Black Creek Road South and Lipscomb Road East.
Drivers can expect lane closures and occasional overnight or
weekend detours throughout the project, which is scheduled to be substantially
complete by summer 2019. The much-anticipated project also includes constructing
raised medians, crosswalks, sidewalks and concrete curb and gutters, as well as
extending or adding turn lanes. The improvements will help with traffic flow,
safety and pedestrian access the boulevard.
NCDOT and Wilson are jointly funding the road makeover, after the
city won a $10 million grant from the federal Transportation Investment
Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) program. The city then added $2 million
toward engineering, design and right-of-way costs, and the state Board of
Transportation chipped in $6.5 million
Last summer, NCDOT awarded a $13.6 million contract to S.T. Wooten
Corp. of Wilson. City officials held a groundbreaking ceremony on April 3.