EDNEYVILLE, NC (WLOS) — Earlier this year, storms in Henderson County destroyed a decades-old bridge in Edneyville, leading to a months-long closure and detour.
News 13 viewer Kyle then asks, “I’m curious if you all could contact NCDOT and get an update on the South Mills Gap Road closure in Henderson County.”
The closure has forced drivers to take a three-kilometer detour, which will certainly add a little more time to their journey. However, the closure has made repair work on the bridge easier.
QUESTION 13: WHAT IS HAPPENING TO THE SWEETEN CREEK ROAD AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECT?
This gave workers more time to examine the bridge and develop plans for the new structure.
We can now report that plans are finalized and that North Carolina Department of Transportation crews and partners began dismantling the current bridge on August 19 to prepare it for the next phase.
Below is a statement from David Uchiyama, communications officer for NCDOT Divisions 13 and 14, to News 13.
Starting in September, a contractor will take over work in this area. The contractor will do most of the substructure work, which will use a lot of concrete. Once the work is complete, the NCDOT will complete the upper portion of the bridge with the help of NCDOT crews.
QUESTION 13: WHAT IS HAPPENING AT THE FORMER ELEVATED MOUNTAIN DISTILLING COMPANY SITE?
At the time of News 13’s first reporting, it was said that this project could take a year or more to complete.
Now that the year is further along, we have a more concrete timeline. Uchiyama said the South Mills Gap Road Bridge should open before Thanksgiving 2024.
