Sneads Ferry bridge update

SNEADS FERRY - It may be close to deadline, but the bridge replacement and alignment of N.C. 210 between Dixon and Sneads Ferry is on schedule.

"It looks like it may take up to the last day, but we'd like to finish it ahead of schedule," said Terry Jackson, superintendent of the project with contractor T.A. Loving Co.

He said the weather has cooperated so far. Recent rains came after erosion control work was in place, so he said the rain has not really caused any delays.

"The last scheduled day of work is May 15, and we'll be working weekends so we can make that happen," Jackson said.

The N.C. Department of Transportation closed the road Jan. 15 to replace the bridge over Stones Creek, detouring travelers to N.C. 172. The contractor was given 120 days to complete the project.

In addition to replacing the bridge, the $1.8 million contract includes resurfacing about 400 feet of the road on the north side of the bridge and 500 feet on the south end to align the road with the new bridge width.

"We're going to set slabs this week, probably (today) and Wednesday. Then the barrier rail goes up. Then we'll pour the concrete deck - not asphalt, many bridges get asphalt, but this one will get concrete. Then it's just road and site work, and little details like berm work," Jackson said.

State records show that 9,800 vehicles travel this stretch daily.

Contact Topsail area reporter Suzanne Ulbrich at sulbrich@freedomenc.com or 910-219-8466. Visit www.jdnews.com to comment on this report.