NCDOT To Close Future Sections of I-26 To Test Construction Distruption
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After recent analysis, negative press and attempts to control traffic through the Pond Road replacement bridge site on I-26 South, NCDOT has decided to explore "some potentially groundbreaking and other tried-and-true methods" to control and maintain traffic flow through future expected widening and upgrades along the route. Methods that may well include complete closure of the highway for extended periods.
Given that long sections of the highway are slated for widening and repair from "Malfunction Junction" south to the US 25 intersection at Mountain Home and that the Pond Road bridge disruption is "merely a drop in the bucket compared to what's coming," DOT officials have looked at two test cases- namely, interstate rerouting along the Cincinnati riverfront and the decision not to rebuild waterfront sections of the Embarcondero Freeway in San Francisco after the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989.
The Pond Road bridge project has been plagued by cost and time overruns reportedly due to the bankruptcy of a primary contractor and the construction phasing required to maintain some semblance of traffic flow during the replacement. Accident rates at the site have been high. "We have attempted to keep a reasonable zone speed during the project but traffic speed has consistently averaged sixty three miles per hour through the fifty mile per hour speed zone" according to traffic engineer Wan Jablome. "For the next phases we are studying the impact of complete closure of exit-to-exit sections for up to six months at at time" said Jablome. The impact of extended closures has apparently proven to be manageable during the study projects, especially for local commuters. In the case of the Loma Prieta closure, the city of San Francisco elected to demolish and not replace the freeway, leading to full development and flourishing of the City Hall and tourist districts today.
"Preliminary estimates are showing that we may save up to 2 years and $175 million dollars during construction" according to Jablome. Another NCDOT engineer, Jody Kuhne, put it this way, "off the record, everyone can be whiny-ass bitches for two years or four years. Why not try to limit it to two?" NCDOT intends to present preliminary concepts and detour routes soon. Construction on some sections is slated for later this summer, with potential closures coming "out of respect for tourist season, later in the fall" said Wan Jablome.
This is a satirical website. Don't take it Seriously. It's a joke.