CorridorK

Corridor K worker injured in dozer accident

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, September 28, 2023
Sweetwater – Details were still sketchy at press time Wednesday, but what was clear was tragedy was narrowly avoided in a Monday-afternoon incident. N.C. Department of Transportation Communications Officer David Uchiyama told The Graham Star on Tuesday that the Sevierville, Tenn.
Frequent tavelers of both N.C. 143 and N.C. 28 have undoubtedly encountered sights like this one near the Johnson Gap intersection, as crews have been working feverishly to clear trees and other roadside foliage in anticipation of the Corridor K expansion. Complaints about lengthy wait times have steadily increased since clearing began in the fall. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Frequent tavelers of both N.C. 143 and N.C. 28 have undoubtedly encountered sights like this one near the Johnson Gap intersection, as crews have been working feverishly to clear trees and other roadside foliage in anticipation of the Corridor K expansion. Complaints about lengthy wait times have steadily increased since clearing began in the fall. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Tree clearing for Corridor K to cease in May

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 16, 2023
Stecoah – If your daily commute includes a trip across Stecoah Gap, chances are you have learned to insert a 20- to 30-minute buffer for your arrival time. Before earth-moving operations can begin for the long-awaited Corridor K expansion along N.C. 143 (Sweetwater Road) and N.C.
Crews acted quickly to combat a blaze that burned two acres on Stecoah Mountain on Feb. 22. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Crews acted quickly to combat a blaze that burned two acres on Stecoah Mountain on Feb. 22. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Ring of fire

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 2, 2023
Stecoah – Nighttime travelers on N.C. 143 (Sweetwater Road) have no doubt witnessed roaring blazes on the roadside for the last few months – the remnants of brush, trees and other foliage cleared in preparation for the Corridor K expansion. First seen near the Slaybacon Road/N.C.
Roadside clearing for the upcoming Corridor K expansion has progressed quickly on N.C. 143, with crews beginning at the U.S. 129 intersection and already reaching this location near Nathan Garland Road. A local contractor was awarded the third planned segment of the improvements Dec. 20. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Roadside clearing for the upcoming Corridor K expansion has progressed quickly on N.C. 143, with crews beginning at the U.S. 129 intersection and already reaching this location near Nathan Garland Road. A local contractor was awarded the third planned segment of the improvements Dec. 20. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Local company awarded 3rd ‘K’ section

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 29, 2022
Raleigh – Bids for the now-third planned section of Corridor K improvements through Graham County were unsealed Dec. 20. And for the first time since “letting” (awarding of contracts) began Aug. 16, a local contractor is in the mix. Adams Contracting Company, Inc. outbid Sevierville, Tenn.
Dignitaries participate in a ceremonial groundbreaking for the Corridor K highway project in Graham County at Robbinsville High School on Monday. From left are Ronnie Keeter, Wanda Austin, Brian Burch, John Sullivan, Eric Boyette, Chris Peoples, Dirk Cody, Connie Orr and Jacob Nelms. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Dignitaries participate in a ceremonial groundbreaking for the Corridor K highway project in Graham County at Robbinsville High School on Monday. From left are Ronnie Keeter, Wanda Austin, Brian Burch, John Sullivan, Eric Boyette, Chris Peoples, Dirk Cody, Connie Orr and Jacob Nelms. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Corridor K breaks ground

Randy Foster
Thursday, October 6, 2022
Robbinsville – Fifty-seven years in the making, the ceremony to mark the start of the ‘Corridor K’ highway project in Graham County on Monday morning was delayed by another hour and a half.

Second Corridor K contracts opened

Kevin Hensley
Friday, September 30, 2022
Raleigh – Six companies were in the mix when the first round of Corridor K letting took place Aug. 16. Just two pitches were received for the second segment – and for good reason: it is the most daunting task in the process. At an estimate of $83,824,722.
This map from the N.C. Department of Transportation – dated May 23 – shows the path the Corridor K improvements will take through Graham County (green line). Map courtesy of N.C. Department of Transportation

This map from the N.C. Department of Transportation – dated May 23 – shows the path the Corridor K improvements will take through Graham County (green line). Map courtesy of N.C. Department of Transportation

First round of Corridor K bidding concludes

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, August 25, 2022
Raleigh – The first contracts for the Corridor K expansion in Graham County have been unsealed. The N.C. Department of Transportation closed the “letting” (acceptance of bids) period for the first of three planned roadway improvements Aug.
One of the features of the planned Corridor K expansion is a 270-foot-wide land bridge at Stecoah Gap, which will allow wildlife and hikers alike on the intersecting Appalachian Trail to traverse over N.C. Highway 28 without traffic interference.

One of the features of the planned Corridor K expansion is a 270-foot-wide land bridge at Stecoah Gap, which will allow wildlife and hikers alike on the intersecting Appalachian Trail to traverse over N.C. Highway 28 without traffic interference.

Letting to begin for Corridor K next week

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, August 11, 2022
The N.C. Department of Transportation has planned three dates for “letting” – or the reception of bids for a project – along the Corridor K expansion, and the first phase started Tuesday.