If you're planning to cruise through the Western Boulevard corridor this weekend, you might want to consider a detour. The N.C. Department of Transportation has enlisted contractors to transport large bridge girders, a task that’s bound to cause a bit of a shuffle in the usual traffic patterns.
Specifically, those who frequent the I-440 East off-ramp at Exit 2 may find themselves at a temporary standstill. Periodic ramp closures are expected as the project kicks off near this junction and snakes its way to Blue Ridge Road. The transport operation is scheduled to move four girders on Saturday and following up with three on Sunday, beginning at the bright hour of 8 a.m. and extending until the mission's end. A word to the wise, plot your weekend errands accordingly.
The N.C. Department of Transportation press release ensures local law enforcement will play a pivotal role both days, managing the flow of vehicles snared by the closures. If you're in the area, expect to see officers directing traffic and preparing for moving pieces of massive infrastructure through crowded cityscapes.
In the spirit of public service and perhaps a bit of self-preservation, drivers are encouraged to seek alternative routes this weekend. Those unexpected ramp closure can spring up as the crew wrangles the girders from point A to B—harbingers of brief, yet inevitable delays. For the latest updates and travel advisories, keeping an eye on N.C. Department of Transportation's website or their social media might save you from the gridlock blues.
