BLOWING ROCK – The N.C. Department of Transportation soon will add safety measures to a stretch of U.S. 321 as the highway climbs the slopes of northern Caldwell County.
TRP Construction Group LLC, of Fort Worth, Texas, earned the contract worth approximately $319,186 to install rumble strips and new pavement markings along more than 8 miles of U.S. 321 between Green Hill Road and Kirby Mountain Road northwest of Lenoir.
“The safety of the traveling public is our top priority,” said Lance Byrd, resident engineer for Caldwell, Watauga and Avery counties. “Rumble strips alert drowsy or distracted drivers when their vehicles begin drifting out of their lane, giving them an opportunity to get back on track before a collision happens.”
Installation begins Tuesday at the Green Hill Road intersection. Crews will continue south to the Kirby Mountain Road intersection until installation finishes this summer.
Lane closures are possible throughout installation, but the contract restricts closures over Memorial Day weekend and on weekdays from 7-9 a.m.
Drivers should always stay alert, avoid distracted driving and obey all posted traffic signs.
For real-time travel information, visit DriveNC.gov or follow NCDOT on social media.