Culvert replacement to close NC106

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  • NCDOT crews will replace a culvert across NC106 on Aug. 30-31.
    NCDOT crews will replace a culvert across NC106 on Aug. 30-31.
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The busiest route into and out of Highlands will be closed from 6 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 30 until approximately 9 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 31.

Town manager Josh Ward informed the Highlands board of commissioners that NC 106 will be closed near the intersection of Turtle Pond Road while NC Department of Transportation crews complete infrastructure repairs.

“What they are actually doing is replacing an undersized culvert that runs under NC 106,” Ward said. “But to do that, they have to tear up the road surface and do some digging for the new larger culvert. That work will require that the road be closed in both directions.”

Ward added that a detour will take drivers along Turtle Pond Road to Franklin Road just west of Dry Falls.

Highlands Police Chief Andrea Holland asked if the project was weather dependent and if NCDOT officials had made any assurances that the project will be completed in the time allotted.

“With the DOT everything is weather dependent and it takes as long as it takes, but I know the plan is to have the road closed Sunday (Aug. 30) and Monday (Aug. 31) and to hopefully have at least one lane reopened, as early as possible on Monday,” Ward said. “The officials with the NCDOT know how well traveled that road is and also its importance for commercial trucks.”

NC 106 is the only commercial route into Highlands from US 441. Commercial trucks with more than three axels are prohibited from using US 64 between Franklin and Highlands. Buck Creek Road, Horse Cove Road and Walhalla Road are also off limits to commercial trucks with more than three axels.