HUDSON – An N.C. Department of Transportation contractor will continue installing a new storm drainage system tonight on U.S. 321 in Caldwell County.
Crews from HEI Civil Carolinas will close the right lane of U.S. 321 North just before Mission Road after 8 p.m. to begin installing the new system, with the lane reopening early Tuesday morning.
Crews will continue the operation Tuesday night, closing the left lane of U.S. 321 North in the same location overnight to connect the new drainage system to the median.
The new drainage system is part of the $13.3 million project converting the U.S. 321 and Mission Road intersection to a reduced conflict intersection.
Once the entire project is finished, drivers wishing to go straight across U.S. 321 from Mission Road or Lower Cedar Valley Road will turn right onto U.S. 321, then use a designated, signalized lane to make a U-turn onto U.S. 321 before turning right onto the road. Drivers on U.S. 321 wishing to turn left onto either road will use a designated lane and traffic signal.
This is the first of three U.S. 321 intersections in Caldwell County to be redesigned to improve safety and mobility. The intersections with Mount Herman Road and Pine Mountain Road will be advertised for bids later this year. The contract calls for construction of the Mission Road intersection to finish by fall 2027.
Each of the intersection redesigns are part of the larger U.S. 321 widening project, which will widen U.S. 321 to six lanes between U.S. 70 in Hickory and Southwest Boulevard in Lenoir. Transportation officials anticipate awarding a contract for the first portion of the widening project, from U.S. 70 in Hickory to U.S. 321 Alternate in Granite Falls, in 2027.
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