An area between Plaza Road Extension and Harrisburg Road will remain closed for approximately 51/2 months as crews replace and widen the bridge over Reedy Creek.
The bigger portion of the $2.4 million project will be moving the intersection of Reedy Creek and Harrisburg roads about 500 feet north, farther from the busy intersection of Harrisburg and Interstate 485.
When too close together, two intersections with traffic signals can compromise traffic flow and safety.
Moving the signals farther apart is expected to improve safety and ease the congestion that has come with years of growth and development in the area, said Jen Thompson, a spokesperson for N.C. Department of Transportation.
The Reedy Creek Road project is included among 10 contracts awarded across the state by Transportation Secretary Gene Conti. Together, the contracts are worth about $34.7 million.
In announcing the projects, Conti said the contracts will provide jobs and provide revenue for the state. State officials said every $1 million spent on transportation creates 30 jobs, based on federal estimates.
Once construction begins on Reedy Creek and Harrisburg roads, the project is scheduled to continue through early October 2011.
Plans for construction on Reedy Creek Road call for widening the two-lane bridge from 9 or 10 feet in each direction to 12 feet with 6-foot shoulders.
The new bridge also will be longer to provide additional room under the bridge for floodwaters.
An exact date for closing Reedy Creek Road had not been set as of last week, said Ron Graham, N.C. DOT engineer. Information about detours also was not available, but signs will be posted, Graham said.
Harrisburg is expected to remain open during construction, although some lanes will be closed as the new intersection with Reedy Creek Road is being built.
Lanes will remain open from 6 to 9 a.m. and 4 to 7 p.m. weekdays. Crews will work on the project on weekends.
Although lanes are not expected to close during peak hours, delays are possible at other times, Thompson said.