SPRING LAKE, N.C. — Drivers who use Overhills Road in Harnett County will need to follow a temporary detour while state transportation crews complete a drainage improvement project near Elliott Bridge Road.
The N.C. Department of Transportation plans to close a portion of Overhills Road beginning at 8 a.m. Monday, August 24. The roadway is expected to remain closed until the afternoon of Friday, August 28.
Crews will replace and enlarge drainage pipe
During the closure, NCDOT maintenance crews will replace an existing 18-inch crossline drainage pipe near Elliott Bridge Road. The current pipe will be replaced with a larger structure designed to increase drainage capacity underneath the roadway.
NCDOT’s Hydraulics Unit reviewed the location and recommended increasing the pipe’s capacity so more water can safely pass beneath Overhills Road. The improvement is intended to strengthen the drainage system and reduce the likelihood of future maintenance problems at the site.
The department did not include the final size of the replacement pipe in its announcement.
Crossline pipes carry stormwater from one side of a roadway to the other. When a pipe does not have enough capacity for the amount of water reaching the site, water can collect along the shoulder or roadway. Installing a larger pipe gives runoff more room to move through the drainage system during periods of heavier rainfall.
Work scheduled ahead of road resurfacing
NCDOT is completing the drainage work before Overhills Road is resurfaced later this year. Replacing the crossline pipe first will allow crews to upgrade the infrastructure beneath the roadway before the new driving surface is installed.
Transportation officials described the project as a proactive improvement that will help strengthen local roadway infrastructure while addressing future drainage and maintenance needs.
Official Overhills Road detour
While the section of Overhills Road is closed, the posted detour will direct motorists along Lasater Road, N.C. 210 and Elliott Bridge Road. Drivers who regularly travel through the area should plan for additional travel time throughout the five-day closure.
The closure could affect commuters traveling between the Overhills and Spring Lake areas, particularly during the morning and afternoon traffic periods. Motorists may want to leave earlier than usual or consider another route when possible.
Drivers urged to use caution
Barricades, equipment and maintenance crews will be present near the work zone. Drivers should slow down, remain alert and follow all posted signs when approaching the closure or traveling along the detour.
The work schedule calls for Overhills Road to reopen during the afternoon of August 28. Construction schedules can be affected by weather or unexpected site conditions, so motorists should continue watching for updated signs and transportation alerts as the project progresses.
Source: N.C. Department of Transportation.
