Work on the turn lanes at the intersection of N.C. 2 and N.C. 5 could be complete this week.

Engineers from the N.C. Department of Transportation said Thursday that barring weather delays, the contractor for the project will apply the final layer of asphalt on Wednesday.

"It should be a one-day operation," said Ron Van Cleef, an engineer with NCDOT. "That job is nearly complete and it should be open (to traffic) Thursday."

Van Cleef said work should begin between 7 a.m. and 8:30 a.m., and he encouraged people to take alternate routes if they are traveling near the construction.

"We are very close to being completed with this, but for that one day the area is going to be very congested."

Work to improve the intersection began in April and included adding turn lanes, utility poles and significant grading work. The state contracted with Triangle Grading, of Burlington, to do the work for a cost of $396,060.

The project was originally paired with a controversial roundabout at Carolina Vista and N.C. 2. The projects were separated because of a prolonged legal battle over the roundabout.

Work began on the roundabout in July.

Contact Tom Embrey at 693-2477 or by e-mail at tembrey@thepilot.com.