U.S. 64 construction to start soon

    Murphy – Let the traffic congestion begin.
    Construction related to the U.S. 64 West widening project is set to start. Motorists will soon notice construction equipment along the roadway, as contractors begin to relocate water and sewer lines within the project area during the last week of this month.
    Construction on Hiwassee Street is expected to begin in mid-October, and contractors will maintain one lane of travel in each direction at all times. The main drag of construction on U.S. 64 West through the heart of the town’s business district is expected to begin in late December or early 2020.
    Officials say businesses within the construction zone have been compensated to relocate signage, while a couple of businesses may need to reconfigure a portion of existing parking spaces. The complete widening project is expected to last two years.
    “It is our goal to maintain access to all businesses throughout the construction period,” N.C. Department of Transportation spokesperson David Uchiyama said. “Pedestrian facilities will be provided, and motorists should expect alternative accommodations for entrances and exits to businesses.”
    Since 2011, at least 104 vehicular accidents have happened along the 1.2-mile stretch of U.S. 64 West between the Hiwassee Street intersection and Cook’s Carpet at the top of the hill. The prevalence of accidents along that road spawned this widening project, which is financed through Build NC, a statewide bond approved by legislators last year.
    The DOT awarded the contract to Wright Brothers Construction of Charleston, Tenn., which bid $22,692,801.
    During construction along U.S. 64 West, contractors will maintain one lane of traffic in each direction and a center turn lane by using two eastbound lanes and one westbound lane. When the project is complete, that stretch of road will remain a five-lane highway, but the outer lanes in both directions will be widened from 10 feet to 14 feet. The inner lanes and center turn lane each will be widened to 12 feet.
    The increased lane widths are expected to reduce sideswipe crashes and improve driver comfort. Moreover, officials say the wider outside lanes will better accommodate tractor-trailers and improve right turns into driveways.
    The sidewalk along eastbound traffic lanes will remain the same. However, contractors will add a 5-foot sidewalk on the opposite side of the road. The project will also improve stormwater drainage throughout the construction area, officials say, with an outfall planned for Hiwassee Street near McDonald’s.
    Since county commissioners decided not to house an Emergency Medical Services station on Marks Drive, a traffic signal and crosswalk will not be installed along U.S. 64 West. Plans for a street connecting U.S. 64 West and Old Ranger Road remain tentative, as officials continue to review the matter.