Opening of Rolesville Bypass delayed again
ROLESVILLE, N.C. (WTVD) -- The opening of the U.S. 401 Bypass in Rolesville has been delayed time after time, and now completion of the project has been put on hold once more after delays in construction.
Rolesville Mayor Frank Eagles said the bypass project is close to completion, however.
"The paving is already done. They just have to overlay it and tie it all in," Eagles said.
Eagles said DeVere Construction crews will then have 10 days to open the bypass. He says the remaining work was delayed after the crews cancelled work this past weekend due to threats of severe weather.
"Their contract says that they're supposed to do this on the weekend and that's what the delay has been," Eagles said.
NC DOT tells ABC11 completion of the whole U.S. 401 project is expected to be completed sometime in September, but the bypass should be completed by July 17.
Eagles said the change should help speed the process up.
"They're supposed to do it the first part of next week, which will save us four or five days, maybe six, so there you go. The bypass will be opening finally," Rolesville resident Jackie Thompson said.
Thompson said the bypass will help local farmers like himself.
"There's only a few farmers left in this part of Wake County, and we have large equipment. So it's difficult going down the road," Thompson said. "Hopefully, this new bypass will open it up so we can go down the road easier as well."
Road Closures
Closures that were planned to start this past weekend on the project will now begin on Monday, July 6, instead, weather permitting. They were originally postponed until July 11, but will begin five days earlier to expedite the work and give drivers access to the bypass earlier.
Contractors plan to close a section of U.S. 401 between just north of Louisbury Road and Forestville Road for eight hours. Motorists can follow a signed detour route along Forestville Road, Mitchell Mill Road, and Jonesville Road.
The second closure will also begin at 9 p.m. and is scheduled to last 11 days, as contractors plan to close Louisbury Road at U.S. 401. That is now scheduled to re-open on Friday, July 17, at 5 a.m.
The signed detour route for that closure sends drivers onto U.S. 401, Forestville Road, and Mitchell Mill Road.
