BOONE
Work is under way on widening 1.1 miles of U.S. 421, which is also known as King Street in Boone.
The stretch runs from U.S. 321 (Hardin Street) to east of N.C. 194 (Jefferson Road).
In June, the N.C. Department of Transportation awarded a $15.2 million contract for the road improvements to Blythe Development Co. of Charlotte.
The project is scheduled to be finished by December 2011.
About 45,000 vehicles a day use the stretch, which varies from two to five lanes.
The road, when finished, will be four to six lanes, separated by a median.
The project also includes:
□ Constructing 12-foot-wide inside travel lanes and 14-foot-wide outside travel lanes to accommodate bicycles.
□ Constructing 5-foot-wide sidewalks along both sides of the highway.
□ Realigning Daniel Boone Drive to tie in to the existing intersection of U.S. 421-221/N.C. 194.
Work going on this month includes demolition, structure removal, relocating utilities, grading, installation of temporary signals, and preparations for building retaining walls across from New Market Center. To ease traffic problems during construction, work crews cannot close or narrow the lanes on King Street, U.S. 221/N.C. 105, Hardin Street, New Market Boulevard or N.C. 194 during the weekday rush hours from 7 to 8:30 a.m. and from 3:30 to 6 p.m.
During the autumn leaf-peeping season in October, construction crews won't be allowed to close or restrict lanes between 6 p.m. on Thursdays and 7 a.m. on Mondays.
The contract also limits lane closings over holiday periods and during Appalachian State University's home football games, as well as other special events in the area.
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