Concrete Pouring Begins on N.C. 105 Bridge
Crews have commenced pouring concrete for the deck of the new N.C. 105 bridge, marking a significant milestone in the infrastructure project. The bridge replacement is intended to improve safety and alleviate traffic congestion along the corridor. The project's completion is expected to shorten travel times in the area.
The N.C. 105 bridge replacement over the Watauga River is a key component of a much larger infrastructure overhaul estimated to cost $197.5 million. This specific bridge portion of the project is valued at $48.7 million. The entire endeavor includes widening 4.5 miles of N.C. 105 and realigning the intersection with Shulls Mill Road. Construction on the new bridge officially began in January 2022. The contractor, Wright Brothers Construction of Charleston, Tennessee, is overseeing the replacement of the original 71-year-old structure. The full project, including the associated road widening, has a projected completion date of late 2027. This project has been in development for over a decade, with public meetings held by the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) as far back as 2011. The planning process also involved an environmental assessment approved in 2016 and subsequent property acquisition between 2018 and 2021. The new bridge will incorporate modern safety features, including a de-icing system that automatically prevents the formation of ice. The design also adds new turning lanes for traffic moving between N.C. 105 and Broadstone Road to improve flow and reduce congestion. The construction process involves significant earth moving, with plans to remove approximately 156,000 cubic yards of earth and split and remove 11,800 square yards of solid rock. This work has required careful planning around local wildlife, including moratoriums on in-water work to protect the Eastern Hellbender salamander and reproducing trout populations in the Watauga River. Upon completion, the roadway over the bridge will be widened to four lanes with a painted median. This is part of a larger plan to widen N.C. 105 to four lanes with a 23-foot raised grass median between Broadstone Road and the N.C. 105 Bypass. The project, officially designated R-2566 by NCDOT, aims to accommodate a projected increase in daily traffic, which is expected to grow from over 20,000 vehicles to 40,000 in the next decade.
