New Plans Coming for Haywood County Bridges
New design to save money, ensure I-40 bridges stay on schedule
Projects to replace two bridges on Haywood County highways will be delayed and redesigned to ensure funding for seven Interstate 40 bridge replacements in Haywood County.
N.C. Department of Transportation engineers will redesign a bridge on U.S. 23/74 over Richland Creek and a bridge connecting U.S. 19 to U.S. 23/74, causing a delay of at least 15 months. A new design will reduce the cost of the projects from the original estimate of $60 million.
Engineers anticipate completing the redesign and awarding the contract late in 2023. In the meantime, NCDOT crews will maintain and repair the existing bridges as needed.
The redesign ensures that funding will be in place to replace the following I-40 bridges:
• Two bridges on I-40 over Beaverdam Road with construction starting in fiscal year 2023 • One bridge on I-40 over Incinerator Road with construction starting in fiscal year 2023 • One bridge on I-40 over Champion Drive (N.C. 215) with construction starting in fiscal year 2023 • One bridge on I-40 over Thickety Road with construction starting in fiscal year 2024 • Two bridges on I-40 over Coleman Mountain Road with construction starting in fiscal year 2027 • One bridge on the U.S. 74 West ramp over I-40 with construction starting in fiscal year 2027
“This is not ideal, but it is what is necessary to move forward,” Division 14 Engineer Wanda Austin said. “The funding NCDOT planned to allocate from the federal IIJA bill will allow NCDOT to facilitate much needed bridge replacements on I-40 and U.S. 74 and enhance the resiliency of the infrastructure.”For real-time travel information, visit DriveNC.gov or follow NCDOT on social media.
