North Carolina Construction News staff writer
Barricades on 3rd Street in Cape Fear will be removed and traffic will be restored at its normal pattern at U.S. 421 onto U.S. 74 after crews completed the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge preservation project weeks in advance, the North Carolina Department of Transportation announced this week.
“I am proud to be part of the NCDOT and this community,” Division 3 Engineer Chad Kimes said. “The department has worked closely with its partners, which has proven to be key to getting critical messages out, and of course, finishing this project early.”
The contractor, Southern Road & Bridge LLC, was awarded the $7.1 million contract on Nov. 30.
Crews completed extensive work to create a smoother, safer ride, while also extending the life of the bridge connecting Brunswick and New Hanover counties. In January, work started to replace the grid deck and stringers, the support beams. The contractor finished the work ahead of the Azalea Festival. After the festival, the contractor closed the westbound lanes, completing the same work on that side.
Because the project was finished prior to May 23, the contractor will be awarded an additional $500,000.
To remove the platform, crews will need to close the outside lane in each direction. Beginning May 9, the lane closures will take place nightly between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. until the platform is removed.
After the platform removal is complete, the contractor will lift the bridge on several occasions to modify the counterweights that were added to the bridge as the deck and stringers were removed.