The end of the academic year typically brings about a series of road construction projects in Chapel Hill and greater Orange County, and this year is no different.

North Carolina Department of Transportation crews are working on several major thoroughfares in Chapel Hill and expect that work to continue through November 1.

The projects include work being done on East Franklin Street, Estes Drive, Weaver Dairy Road and several other secondary roads.

The work, which began late last month, is expected to include various lane closures while resurfacing crews are on the scene.

Two other projects are expected to begin construction in the next few weeks in Orange County.

The bridge extending US 70 Bypass over the Eno River on the eastern side of Hillsborough is set to be replaced after a $4.8 million contract was awarded to replace the 78-year-old bridge.

DOT officials said the bridge was categorized as structurally deficient. Under that designation, the bridge is still safe to travel on but “it has reached the end of its useful life and should be replaced.” A two-lane temporary bridge will be installed to minimize traffic impacts in the area during the construction.

Work is expected to begin on the bridge replacement early this summer in order for the bridge to reopen in July 2021.

Another contract has been awarded to provide $4.6 million in bicycle and pedestrian improvements on a roughly one-mile stretch of Old Durham-Old Chapel Hill Road between US 15-501 in Chapel Hill and Pope Road at the Durham City limits. The project is expected to include bicycle lanes, crosswalks and sidewalks.

The is the second phase of work aimed at improving the connector road after the first section – from Pope Road to Garrett Road – was completed last month.

That bike and pedestrian improvement work is expected to begin this fall before being completed by August 2020.

Photo via Town of Chapel Hill

Related Stories
‹
17-Year-Old Suspect Sought for Gunfire, Domestic Assault in Orange County Surrenders to Authorities
A 17-year-old wanted for a domestic violence incident involving gunfire turned himself in to the Orange County Magistrate’s Office on Monday.
Uproar Festival of Public Art to Return to Orange County in August
The Uproar Festival of Public Art returns this August to showcase large-scale, bold works of art outdoors in Orange County.
No Clear Solution: Protecting Orange County's Manufactured Home Communities
Orange County is a place people want to raise their families, and manufactured housing allows a lot of low-income housing families to do that.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day to Affect Local Government Services (2025)
The observation of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday, January 20 will affect local government services around the Orange County community. Here’s what residents can expect this year: Town of Chapel Hill Town offices will be closed on Monday. Residential trash normally collected on Monday will be collected on Wednesday, January 22. Curbside recycling […]
Christmas Holiday to Affect Local Government Services in Orange County (2024)
The Christmas holiday will affect several local government services. Here’s a rundown of what Orange County residents can expect.
Thanksgiving Holiday to Affect Local Government Services in Orange County
Thanksgiving will fall on Thursday, Nov. 28 this year, and the holiday will affect several local government services around the Orange County community. Here’s a rundown of what residents can expect: Town of Chapel Hill Thursday, Nov. 28 and Friday, Nov. 29 are both town holidays. Residential trash collection will not be affected. However, there […]
Hillsborough Police: Chapel Hill Man Arrested After Traffic Stop
A Chapel Hill man was taken into custody and charged with several offenses after a traffic stop in Hillsborough on Thursday. According to the Hillsborough Police Department, 52-year-old Nathan Devon Brown – a passenger in the stopped vehicle – reached for a gun during the stop. Police say officers initiated a stop in the southern […]
Chapel Hill Woman Wins Jackpot Lottery Prize
Patricia Oliver of Chapel Hill won a $226,671 prize off of a $1 Cash 5 lottery ticket on Sunday. She claimed her prize – which, after required federal and state taxes, comes to $162,070 – at lottery headquarters on Thursday. Oliver bought her ticket using Online Play. The North Carolina Education Lottery estimates the odds […]
Orange County Veterans Memorial Holds Ceremony, Continues Construction – But Without Longtime Supporter
The Orange County Veterans Memorial’s leadership held its customary Veterans Day ceremony to honor the holiday and local veterans.
Here Are Ways You Can Donate to Local Drives for Hurricane Helene Relief
After Hurricane Helene devastated western North Carolina last week, numerous local organizations, businesses and schools have set up donation drives to help those affected. Below is a list of drives around our area, in alphabetical order by the group: All About Insurance shifted its regular Sock-Tober clothing drive to exclusively support Hurricane Helene relief efforts. […]
›