Durham Freeway construction begins

DURHAM The City says the long-awaited demolition and replacement of the pedestrian bridge at Alston Avenue will begin later this month. The work begins May 26 and will last about two weeks.

Traffic will be rerouted using Briggs and Alston Avenues as detours from 11 p.m. until 5:30 a.m. as crews complete the demolition of the old pedestrian bridge structure.

After demolition is complete and the new bridge span arrives, crews will again close NC 147 during these same hours and using these same detour routes for the duration of setting the new bridge span into place.

According to Katie Kalb, director of the City’s Department of Public Works, the bridge replacement is necessary to link residential and commercial areas divided by NC 147 and to also link those areas to the future Alston Avenue Triangle Transit Rail Station as well as any future trail system.

"The enclosed design of the original bridge provided poor visibility for users and police officers, leading to its closure in 1995. Plus, the bridge had deteriorated due to its age," Kalb said.

The project will cost $2.2 million.

To learn more about this project or to view images of the new pedestrian bridge, visit the City’s Web site at: www.durhamnc.gov/departments/works/project_nc147_bike_ped_bridge.cfm

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