A planning project for major renovations to Business 40 in Winston-Salem has been finalized. It's now time for the design-build phase.
The project will include new interchanges, bridges and sound walls, as well as significant repaving and the addition of a parallel strollway.
So how will this affect commuters, businesses and residents?
Pat Ivey, an engineer with the North Carolina Department of Transportation, says work is set to begin next July and will take about four years to complete. Business 40 will be closed for up to two years.
Ivey says a lot of preliminary work has be done to prepare for the expected traffic disruptions. Travelers will be rerouted to thoroughfares such as Highway 52, University Parkway and Silas Creek Parkway. Interstate 40 will be the main detour route.
"We know there are going to be impacts", Ivey says. "We know that there are going to be inconveniences. But what we want to make sure is that we're getting all the accurate information out to the travelers, both now and more importantly when construction starts, so people know on a daily basis know what they can expect, where they need to go and how they can get in and around the Winston-Salem area during this construction.
The project is also going to have an impact on pedestrians and bicyclists.
"We have a detour for bicyclists that's clearly signed and they know where they can go. Again, it was presented early on so people can know what to expect", says Ivey.
When all is said and done, Ivey wants an end result that moves traffic safely and with less congestion.
He believes "this is our one opportunity to make a significant positive difference to that Business 40 corridor. It's the last one-mile segment to be upgraded since they built the bypass.
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