DOT driving local road repairs

Road-resurfacing crews are becoming a greater presence in the Mount Airy area due to various projects planned over the next few weeks.

Both daytime and nighttime work shifts will be involved, according to City Manager Darren Lewis, relaying updated scheduling details from the N.C. Department of Transportation.

While Mount Airy maintains roadways that are on the municipal street system, major routes locally are under the purview of the DOT, including U.S. 52, one of those targeted for resurfacing.

Specifically, this includes a northbound portion of U.S. 52-North (also known as North Andy Griffith Parkway), described as a 1.4-mile section leading to the Virginia state line.

The DOT has contractors on-site as of this week to begin milling/resurfacing of that roadway, which is involving daytime work.

Milling refers to grinding away the top layer of asphalt to a specified depth, leveling or removing damaged areas along with stripping away deteriorated surfaces to allow a fresh surface to be applied.

Messaging boards and a truck loaded with bollards on Wednesday along U.S. 52-North near Fancy Gap Road, waiting to be pressed into service for traffic control.

Other projects planned

Officials also announced that more key roads locally are on tap for resurfacing in the coming days.

This includes several along the outskirts of Mount Airy to involve daytime milling/resurfacing: Red Brush Road (on the Toast Road end), Maple Hollow Road, Fancy Gap Road and Greenhill Road.

“All this work will be daytime and is expected to be completed over the next four to six weeks, plus or minus, dependent upon weather and other unknown variables,” according to a project announcement.

Night work schedule

The nocturnal part of the DOT equation pertains to its plans to have contractors tackle several roadways in Mount Airy starting this week as a prelude to resurfacing.

These are North Franklin Road, North South Street, Frederick Street and West Pine Street from Main Street to N.C. 89.

The plan calls for lowering manholes and water valve structures this week, then launching milling and resurfacing the next week.

“This will be night work and we anticipate four weeks, plus or minus, to complete depending on weather and other variables,” according to the announcement.