By Becky Long
Publisher
The Highway 69 construction project is still months away from being completed, but officials say it’s on track.
The revised completion date has been moved from March 24 to July 28, 2024.
The final phases of the project include improvements to the intersection of US 64 and NC 69, completion of the installation of a concrete island and placing the final layer of pavement on the entire project.
Improvements will extend slightly beyond the intersection of US 64 and NC 69.
“The limits of the project will continue to Palmer Road. There is also work to be done on US 64. This work will extend to just west of United Community Bank and just east of Huddle House,” said DOT Engineer Adam Dockery.
The total length of project is 3.8 miles. Work has consisted of improving a two-lane facility to a divided four-lane roadway with intersection improvements at various locations throughout the corridor, according to Dockery.
The inside lanes will be 12-feet wide. The outside lanes will be 14-feet wide to accommodate bicycles. The outside shoulder will be a 10-foot berm to accommodate a sidewalk if Clay County wants to add one in the future.
In November 2019 the N.C. Department of Transportation awarded a $46.3 million contract to widen NC. 69 from the Georgia state line to US 64 near Hayesville. Construction began in 2020. Wright Brothers received the contract.
The project will meet the anticipated capacity need for expected traffic demands in 2045, according to the NC Department of Transportation.