BLOWING ROCK, NC (WBTV) – The headaches have started for drivers heading to the North Carolina mountains via Highway 321.
The final leg of the state's widening project for the highway is underway in the Blowing Rock area.
More than four miles of widening will connect the four lane portion south of blowing rock with the four lane section near the Outlet mall.
It will cost $66 million to build with the total price tag being higher than that when right of way acquisition costs are added in.
Those figures are not complete yet as negotiations continue with a few property owners.
Twenty homes and businesses are already slated to be demolished as the roadway comes through.
The route will mostly follow the current path of Highway 321 but with one major change that has many businesses concerned.
The new design includes a concrete median through a portion of the highway and many say that will cost businesses money.
"I'm afraid it will really hurt us," said Joe Papa who owns Papa Joe's Restaurant. The median, he said, could keep customers heading in the northbound lane from turning in to his business and others along that section of highway. "If they do get here they won't know how to get back out," he said.
Department of Transportation officials said the decision to build the highway with a median was made two decades ago and with contracts already let, the design will not be changed.
David Beach of Twigs Restaurant said he's not worried about the construction itself because "That will end at some point but the divided highway could be here forever."
Drivers going through the areas can expect delays over the next three years. Lane closures will be common and at least twice a week, beginning later in the spring, the entire road will be shut down for blasting.
The schedule now will be that closings will happen on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 11am and 3pm.
The construction crews will also have the option to close the road on Monday or Wednesday nights from 7pm to 5am. Detours will be marked in Lenoir and in Boone.
