Wake County motorists, take note: a stretch of Smithfield Road will be partially shutting down during the night for resurfacing from tonight through June 20. The necessary lane closures, near Interstate 87, will be rolling out each evening from 7 p.m., wrapping up early the following day at 6 a.m., given the weather plays ball, according to the N.C. Department of Transportation.
If you're planning to be out and about during these times, expect some stop-and-go with flaggers on hand to guide vehicles through the construction ballet, dotting Smithfield's normally tranquil nighttime tableau. Drivers should be prepared for a longer commute and are advised by NCDOT to keep an eye out for detour signs and, if possible, to choose an alternate route avoiding the work zone; these measures are designed to streamline the flow and minimize the headache of late-night congestion.
Those who frequent this corridor might recall it isn't the first time orange cones and flashing lights have taken up residence along its shoulders. Keeping roads safe and smooth is an ongoing effort, one that often slips into the quiet hours when most of us are tucked away, dreaming of untrafficked streets. This round of resurfacing on Smithfield Road signals yet another patch of progress in that unending task.
While the closures are meant to cause minimal disruption, lasting only through the night and clearing before the morning rush hour begins, commuters should factor the potential delays into their nightly routines, finding solace in the fact that smoother, pothole-free drives are on the horizon, and also remembering that a little inconvenience now can mean safer, more efficient travels ahead.
