NCDepartmentofTransportation

The N.C. Department of Transportation recently activated a warning light to alert drivers approaching the busy U.S. 19/74/129 intersection in Topton. Photo by Kelsey Krizsan/The Graham Star

The N.C. Department of Transportation recently activated a warning light to alert drivers approaching the busy U.S. 19/74/129 intersection in Topton. Photo by Kelsey Krizsan/The Graham Star

Topton warning lights activated

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, September 14, 2023
Topton – It is a meeting point for frequent carpoolers, three counties and all four cardinal directions of travel. It is also in a location with no cell-phone reception, so when an accident occurs, help can often be delayed until a third party can go somewhere to call for emergency assistance.
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.
Following a public hearing in November, the N.C. Department of Transportation has opted to replace this aging bridge on Lower Mill Creek Road, instead of the original plan to remove the bridge and construct two turnarounds. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Following a public hearing in November, the N.C. Department of Transportation has opted to replace this aging bridge on Lower Mill Creek Road, instead of the original plan to remove the bridge and construct two turnarounds. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Lower Mill Creek Bridge will be replaced

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 26, 2023
Tallulah – They listened. Officials with the N.C. Department of Transportation were greeted by a large turnout of opposition to a Nov.
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.
This bridge on Lower Mill Creek Road was scheduled for removal, until a Nov. 15 public hearing proved that residents wanted to keep the structure intact. The bridge was constructed in 1964 and has reached its “end-of-service,” according to the N.C. Department of Transportation. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

This bridge on Lower Mill Creek Road was scheduled for removal, until a Nov. 15 public hearing proved that residents wanted to keep the structure intact. The bridge was constructed in 1964 and has reached its “end-of-service,” according to the N.C. Department of Transportation. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Heavy opposition may lead to new bridge plan

Kevin Hensley
Friday, December 2, 2022
West Fort Hill – The idea seemed pretty cut and dry: remove an old bridge and replace it with two dead-end turnarounds. Residents of Lower Mill Creek Road had other ideas. Amid a myriad of theories – which included the fear of increased drug activity – N.C.
Family members pose with the new street sign for Wayne Carringer Boulevard, during a dedication ceremony at Robbinsville High School on Friday. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Family members pose with the new street sign for Wayne Carringer Boulevard, during a dedication ceremony at Robbinsville High School on Friday. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

‘Freedom is not free’

Randy Foster
Tuesday, November 22, 2022
Robbinsville – In February, the N.C. Board of Transportation unanimously passed a resolution dedicating the new access road between N.C. 129 and Robbinsville High School as Wayne Carringer Boulevard.
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.
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.