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Local commuters will benefit from road work |
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Tuesday, 12 June 2007 |
by Kelly Burchfield
Intern Staff Reporter
The reconstruction of U.S. Highway 321 may be a hassle to Appalachian State University commuters, but the outcome is expected to provide them with safer travel.
Resident Engineer Frank Gioscio said the reconstruction project was needed because of the traffic increase on U.S. Highway 321.
“Two lanes were not able to handle the amount of traffic safely,” he said.
According to the North Carolina Department of Transportation, the $63 million project began in February
2005 and is expected to be completed in August 2008.
Gioscio said the project involves widening the road and building about
a dozen retaining walls. The retaining walls will stabilize some of the
material and protect commuters from falling rocks.
During the construction process delays have been scheduled on Tuesdays and Thursdays from noon until 2 p.m.
However, unexpected delays frequently hinder commuters.
Steve Smith, a senior criminal justice major, said, “Even though there are scheduled delays, the only
time I don’t encounter a delay is at seven in the morning.”
Gioscio said unexpected delays in a construction zone are unavoidable, especially when falling rocks create a problem.
“Last Tuesday, about 20 or 30 feet ahead [of me], vibrations from the
blast made big pieces of rocks fall, which weren’t even able to be
moved by using equipment,” he said.
Because the large rocks had to be broken and removed from the road, Smith and other drivers were stopped hours after 2 p.m.
Gioscio said construction workers remain in contact with the main office during situations similar to Tuesday’s delay.
“I encourage commuters to call our office directly at (828) 265-5088
during unexpected delays because someone here will always know what’s
going on,” Gioscio said.
Even though Smith will graduate before the project is completed, he
believes the daily hindrances he faces will eventually be worth it for
other university commuters.
“Like the construction of 421, in the long-run, the benefits will outweigh the negatives,” he said.
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