Contractors working for the City of Lenoir will make repairs to the Countryside Drive Bridge next week.
Contractors will be working nights from 7:00 pm to 5:00 am starting Tuesday evening, Aug. 1, 2023. The repairs should be finished by Friday, Aug. 4, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen issues.
The US 321 South on-ramp at Hibriten Drive and the right-hand, southbound lane from the on-ramp to the Countryside Drive bridge will be closed in the evenings for the repairs.
Drivers who normally use the on-ramp from Hibriten Drive to US 321 South can detour north via Norwood Street and McLean Drive or south via Norwood Street and Southwest Boulevard to access US 321 South. Drivers should be alert and cautious while driving through the work zone.
Last month, North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) inspectors notified the City of some damage to the bridge. According to NCDOT, a large vehicle struck the bridge, knocked off some concrete and caused some other cracks in the bridge. No one reported the accident, which has been ruled as a hit and run.
The bridge is structurally sound and safe to drive across. The repairs will prevent any further degradation of the damaged concrete areas.
Countryside Drive is a City-owned street, and therefore the City is responsible for making repairs. The repairs are estimated to cost $65,000.
Update, Aug. 3, 2023: Contractors will be closing the left-hand, southbound lane at at the Countryside Drive Bridge on US 321 S tonight, Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023, to complete repairs on the bridge. The on-ramp from Hibriten Drive to US 321 S will also be closed. Drivers should be alert an cautious in the area. The repairs should be completed by tomorrow.
The Countryside Drive bridge crosses US 321 South about 1,700 feet south of Hibriten Drive.
The southbound on-ramp from Hibriten Drive to US 321 South and the right-hand, southbound lane of US 321 South will be closed during the repairs.