–PARTEND–

March 5, 2018

–PARTEND–

Transportation Update – March 2018

The North Carolina Department of Transportation’s planned repair project along Connelly Springs Road at Castle Bridge will hopefully have a new eight-month completion schedule.

The NCDOT will re-bid the project and have included incentives to further reduce bridge closure time. In addition, the scheduled start time for the project has been pushed back to the fall and is projected to be completed in almost half the original timeframe.

According to the NCDOT, $6 million in repairs are needed for the bridge that links Connelly Springs Road in Caldwell County with Malcolm Boulevard in Burke County.

At a recent meeting with state and local officials in Cajah’s Mountain, NCDOT representatives said they would study alternatives to the original 14-to-18-month timeline for the project.

Due to deterioration of the deck joints and beams, repairs were deemed necessary.

Built in 1961, Castle Bridge carries approximately 9,600 vehicles per day.

The NCDOT has already reduced the weight limit for commercial trucks utilizing the bridge from 40 tons to 19 tons.

A replacement bridge is not necessary at this time. An underwater inspection of the foundation and columns, along with sonar imaging, found those parts to be in sound condition and able to remain in place.

For information regarding the project, contact NCDOT Division 13 Bridge Program Manager Chris Medlin at cdmedlin@ncdot.gov or at 828-298-1128.