Drivers and local residents will soon see the return of normal traffic flow on Ligon Mill Road, as the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) announced the scheduled reopening of the pivotal roadway for Wednesday. A segment of the road from Woodrose Lane to Burlington Mills Road has been closed since mid-March for vital construction efforts.
The closure allowed for a significant realignment project, shifting the road from an aged bridge over Smith Creek, built in 1967, to a newly constructed counterpart. This bridge, aged with decades of service had succumbed to wear and tear of time, it was not only grappling with structural issues but was also deemed functionally obsolete—no longer capable of handling the current traffic demands efficiently.
In their pursuit of enhanced traffic operations and minimal impact on the community and environment, NCDOT adopted a strategy to erect the new bridge east of the original, allowing for uninterrupted traffic on the old course during construction. This new 200-foot long, and 58-foot-wide structure will boast three 11-foot lanes, supporting two-way traffic and a center turn lane. It includes a five-foot bike lane for north and southbound journeys, along with sidewalks flanking the east and west sides of Ligon Mill Road at specific stretches.
The design is not only focused on current transportation needs, but also future community amenities. The elevation of the new bridge, set approximately six feet above its predecessor, caters to a planned Town of Wake Forest greenway, promising easy passage underneath. As stated by the Town of Wake Forest’s announcement, "The roadway elevation of the new bridge will be approximately six feet higher than the existing bridge to accommodate a future Town of Wake Forest greenway underneath."
This upcoming reopening marks the culmination of efforts initiated in January 2023, signifying not only the end of a construction phase, but also ushering in an era of improved infrastructure slated to ease transit, encourage cycling, and provide for safer pedestrian activities along Ligon Mill Road. With the bridge set to open soon, the community looks forward to the revitalized connectivity and the impending, greener additions to their urban landscape.
