Morrisville-based Zachry Construction faces a $30,000 fine after failing to clear their construction site on southbound Capital Boulevard in Raleigh on the morning of Oct. 7, according to the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT).
The work was supposed to be finished and cleared by 6 a.m. in accordance with the contract — but it didn’t happen.
“Huge ripple effect. Very aggravating. People backed up, honking. Trying to get where they needed to go,” CBS-17 TV quoted Cherod Reid as saying.
The section of southbound Capital Boulevard at Peace Street was shut down for hours as construction equipment remained in the roadway, the NCDOT said. The unexpected closure resulted in massive backups and delays.
The road finally reopened about 9 a.m., but the contractor didn’t complete the sanitary sewer line work, so the road will need to be closed again later.
The contractor was fined $2,500 for every 15 minutes the road reopening was delayed, so the total cost will reach $30,000, which will be deducted from Zachry’s contract payment, NCDOT said.