WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — UPDATE: The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) says it hopes to open the highway Sunday.
The NCDOT expected to reopen all the bridges sometime on Friday. The Marshall and Cherry Streets bridges over Business 40 work zone, the High Street bridge from Brookstown Avenue to Marshall Street and the Brookstown underpass beneath the freeway will all reopen.
The NCDOT said in a Facebook post that Winter weather Friday afternoon stopped crews from opening the Marshall Street Bridge.
Drivers say they're relieved to hear the project is one step closer to being done.
"I just thank God that it's happening, you know and appreciate it's working out, you know. I know everybody around this area will love it," said Willie Andrews.
"[I'm] very, very excited because it has been gosh, it seems like an eternity.
and it just makes it very miserable to get around so hopefully, everybody will be in a better mood when they're driving," said Jennifer Tennyson who commutes to the city from Mount Airy.
Some Winston-Salem business owners say the project has cost them customers.
One bar owner said he noticed a slowdown since a one-point-two mile stretch of Business 40 closed in November 2018. He can't wait for it to reopen.
"It's tremendous, I mean anything that impedes people from being able to move is frustrating so if they can get here more easily I'm looking forward to it," said Benjamin Harris, the owner of Single Brothers on Trade Street.
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The NCDOT also said it will hold a special announcement on Friday. We’re hoping to find out the opening date of the project.
The $99.2 million Business 40 improvement project included the construction of Business 40 and 11 new bridges and includes the following:
• Replacing the existing roadway pavement
• Modernizing entrance and exit ramps
• Replacing nine vehicular bridges and two pedestrian bridges
• Lengthening the acceleration and deceleration lanes between ramps
• Widening existing roadway shoulders and adding new shoulders
• Building portions of a multi-use path from Lockland Avenue to Liberty Street
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