Repairs begin on Triangle Expressway - just 2 years after completion
APEX, NC (WTVD) -- Just two years after its completion, construction began on the Triangle Expressway Thursday morning.
The repairs will be done along northbound N.C. 540 just before Exit 56A to U.S. 1, and along northbound N.C. 540 between mile markers 54.2 and 54.4, near Apex due to the road dipping in the two areas because of dirt shifting underneath.
The work continues from 9 am until 4 pm until Tuesday excluding the weekend.
"The dirt around the tunnel has actually started to settle, and so this settlement has caused some issues in the road so were going to fix those. It's nothing out of the ordinary. It's pretty standard work," DOT Spokesperson Ginny Inman said.
The dirt was packed over empty pipes buried under the road to accommodate utilities for future growth.
The pipes will ultimately protect telecommunications lines that cross under the Expressway but haven't been installed yet.
The idea is that the DOT won't have to dig up the road to put in the new lines, but they will have to dig up parts of it because of the pipes.
"As soon as any future growth ... they can come right in with their cable, whoever needs it," Inman said. "Run under the road so they don't have to tear the road up and bother drivers."
The road is buckling to the point where DOT workers installed "Dip Ahead" signs and cars do bounce over it.
The construction will cost between $100,000 to 200,000. Funds will come from the DOT maintenance fund. That comes from toll revenue and the initial bond.
