New Section of I-73 Opens in Guilford County

A section of I-73 opened Friday afternoon in Guilford County. Officials in Guilford and Rockingham Counties see it as more than just a road.

The 6-mile section of highway runs from N.C. 68 to U.S. 220 near Summerfield.

North Carolina Department of Transportation officials say it will help with commute times for travelers. The new portion will allow traffic to travel on two lanes in each direction at 65 mph. State transportation officials say the absence of stoplights and intersections improves travel time and safety by eliminating possible collision points in this heavily traveled area of Guilford County.

All of this is part of a larger project under construction that includes an additional three miles of highway near Piedmont Triad International Airport. That's expected to open later this summer.

Mike Mills, an engineer with NCDOT, says the project has a lot of support from both Guilford and Rockingham Counties because of its connectivity and economic opportunities.

“They realize with the interstate in Guilford County, and all the activities going [on] in and around PTI airport with the new taxiway bridge being built at the airport, a lot of big companies will be coming to this area,” says Mills. “That taxiway bridge opens up about 1,100 acres of property at the airport and that's where all of this other economic development will come in.”

The entire project costs around $176 million, and is federally funded. An official ribbon cutting will take place in June.

*Follow WFDD's Keri Brown on Twitter @kerib_news