John A. Nagy

Editor

The widening of N.C. 211 is expected to cross a significant milestone this weekend.

Crews working on the project to widen the road to four lanes between West End and the Traffic Circle plan to shift traffic in both directions to the newly paved eastbound lanes from just west of Hoffman Road to the main entrance of Pinewild.

That stretch represents 3.3 miles, according to state Department of Transportation officials.

The switchover is dependent on weather.

DOT officials say the change will let workers start building two new westbound lanes in that area.

Workers will have message boards in place to alert motorists of the new traffic pattern. In addition, traffic will still be able to get to all the homes and businesses along that stretch.

When completed, the project is expected to cost $29 million and expand 7.6 miles of road from two to four lanes between the Circle and N.C. 73 in West End. The eastbound and westbound lanes will be divided by a grass median.

Work on the project is expected to continue through May 2014, and drivers will see additional lane shifts and closures as the project progresses. Workers are trying to get the road fully open in time for consecutive Men's and Women's U.S. Opens in June 2014 at the Pinehurst Resort No. 2 course.

Traffic congestion and backups can also be expected during lane closures, so DOT officials are urging drivers to be cautious in work zones. Drivers need to follow traffic and construction warning signs in work zones, watch out for flagmen and workers along the roadway, and pay attention to the road conditions around them.

Contact John Nagy at (910) 693-2507 or john@thepilot.com.