As reported by the Gazette in January, the third and final leg of the N.C. 98 bypass may open for traffic on some date in April although other work will continue through June. By that time it may officially be named the Calvin Jones Highway.
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            Eric Keravuori, Wake Forest’s director of engineering, said recently the contract to replace the two bridges on Jones Dairy Road (outside the town’s jurisdiction) was let on Dec. 15. Clearing is underway near the southernmost bridge next to the Chalks Road intersection. That bridge over Austin Creek will be replaced first, then the one farther to the north over Smith Creek will be rebuild. Because there are homes between the two bridges they are being done separately to allow access for everyone.
            The town intends to reroute the northern part of Chalks Road so that it meets the entrance to the Bowling Green subdivision and do the work at the same time as the bridge reconstruction. In December the town board directed attorney Eric Vernon to proceed with condemnation for two parcels that stand in the right-of-way. The engineering and design for the rerouting has been done.
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            Work has begun somewhat – lots of red clay between new curbs and one large backhoe – on the new section of Taylor Street that will stretch from East Elm Avenue to Wait Avenue behind the new town hall and in front of the existing Wake Forest Police Department building. One holdup has been the discovery of contaminated soil in the right-of-way which had to be removed.
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            The Wake Forest Town Board took the first step on Oct. 20 toward having a town where all the streets are paved. The commissioners approved a contract with Appian Consulting Engineers for $300,291.36 to do the engineering required before 11 dirt streets can be reconstructed and paved. The construction/pavement cost was estimated in 2006 at $4 million. The affected streets are South Allen Road, Brewer Circle, Caddell Street, Carter Street, Dunn Avenue, Farm Road, Farm Ridge Road, Mangum Street, Spring Valley Road, East Sycamore Street and West Walnut Avenue.
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            The federal stimulus money the North Carolina Department of Transportation plans to spend four-laning part of U.S. 401 will amount to $13.9 million. DOT plans to build the two-mile section from the Ligon Mill intersection up the long hill to Jonesville Road and begin the work in December. No word yet when construction will begin on the bypass around Rolesville, and the long 18 miles to Louisburg are unfunded.
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            Think there are traffic signals that should be improved? Call Steve Johnson, the Division 5 traffic engineer, at 220-4600, the new number for the Division 5 Durham office.