Hillsborough Street at Blue Ridge Road to reopen after months-long construction project in Raleigh
Part of Hillsborough Street is set to reopen this week.
It’s been closed for months, as part of a larger construction project. When it’s finished, Blue Ridge Road will pass beneath Hillsborough Street, the railroad tracks and Beryl Road. A new street will connect Hillsborough Street and Blue Ridge Road.
Some drivers say the progress is good news.
“We've had to go around so many times," Ariel Watson said. "I feel like we always have to re-route and turn around. It's actually a long way if you accidentally end up where it's blocked off.”
Watson said the closure added extra time to her commute.
“It would help if I could remember that it was closed,” Watson said. “I always end up right there and have to go back and take the next exit.”
Aaron Moody with the North Carolina Department of Transportation said drivers can go straight across the bridge and continue on Hillsborough Street towards Cary once the road reopens.
“It'll save a lot of time,” Beth Griffin said.
Plus, the new traffic pattern will alleviate traffic during one of the busiest times for that area. Griffin noted both the State Fair and NC State football games.
“The goal has been to get that Hillsborough portion open ahead of the first NC state football game,” Moody said.
Moody said the purpose of the overall project is to make it safer for both drivers and pedestrians.
“You have all that foot traffic coming together with a railroad crossing at a busy intersection right at our state fairgrounds,” Moody said. “It's really an effort to take that risk factor out of play. It gives pedestrians and cars the leeway to go under the railroad.”
The road is set to reopen Wednesday, which is plenty of time before NC State's first home game this Saturday. Engineers are hoping all construction will be completed by 2024.
