SPRUCE PINE — The bright orange cones and traffic barrels that have dotted U.S. 19E for months have finally disappeared, marking the completion of the highway widening project.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation officially announced the completion of the project on Friday, Oct. 16.
The project widened eight miles of U.S. 19E from its intersection with N.C. 80 in Yancey County to the muli-lane section of highway just west of Spruce Pine, near the Estatoe area.
The widening project provides improved transportation through the NCDOT Division 13. Now, motorists will enjoy four lanes from Interstate 26 in Madison County, through Yancey and into Mitchell.
NCDOT also confirmed future plans to expand U.S. 19E to four lanes east of Spruce Pine into Avery County. There is no timetable for that expansion at this time.
“We are very happy to complete a major project that will bring major benefits to residents and businesses in Yancey and Mitchell counties,” said Division 13 Engineer Mark Gibbs. “Tourism, other local industries and local residents will all benefit from the economic opportunities provided by the new highway.”
The eastbound and westbound lanes are now divided by a grassed median matching the first 21 miles from Interstate 26 in Madison County. Crews also added additional drainage, guardrails, design improvements to the alignment of the roadway, signage and pavement markings to bring the highway up to modern safety standards.
The $64.9 million project also involved the construction of six new bridges, six new box culverts and seven retaining walls. Crews also built 14 bulbout turnarounds for additional safety and mobility.
“This is a project that is going to make traveling a lot safer and a lot easier in our northern mountains,” said Division 13 Construction Engineer Randy McKinney. “Folks will be able to get to work, school and leisure activities quicker, easier and safer than ever.”