BR-0143: Replace U.S. 321 Business bridge over Smyre Creek, Catawba County
BR-0143: Replace U.S. 321 Business bridge over Smyre Creek, Catawba County
The N.C. Department of Transportation proposes to replace the bridge on U.S. 321 Business over Smyre Creek in Newton, Catawba County.
Step 1
Interactive Project Study Area Map
Project Overview
NCDOT is proposing the replacement of the Southwest Boulevard (U.S. 321 Business) bridge over Smyre Creek in Catawba County. While the bridge is currently safe for traffic, it has become structurally deficient and is approaching the end of its functional life. A bridge is considered structurally deficient if it is in relatively poor condition or has insufficient load-carrying capacity. The inefficient load capacity could be due to the original design or to deterioration.
The proposed new bridge will include two 12-foot lanes with an eight-foot shoulder on the west side and a two-foot shoulder on the east side. The bridge will also feature a 12-foot multi-use path that will be separated from the travel lanes by the two-foot shoulder and concrete barrier.
Three alternatives are being studied:
- Alternative 1 - Maintains traffic during construction until a new bridge is built in the same location.
- Alternative 2 - Maintains traffic during construction by utilizing a temporary on-site detour until a new bridge is built in the same location.
- Alternative 3 - Maintains traffic during construction until a new bridge is built to the east of the existing bridge and then traffic would be shifted.
Study Area Map
Click on the map to enlarge it for easier viewing.
Typical Sections
Project Funding:
Activity | Estimated Costs* | ||
Alternative 1 | Alternative 2 | Alternative 3 | |
Right-of-Way Acquisition | $ 0.8 Million | $ 0.7 Million | $ 1.0 Million |
Utilities | $ 1.2 Million | $ 1.1 Million | $ 1.0 Million |
Construction | $ 7.5 Million | $ 8.6 Million | $ 7.3 Million |
Total Cost | $ 9.5 Million | $10.4 Million | $ 9.3 Million |
*Costs shown are estimates and are subject to change.
Based on currently adopted NCDOT State Transportation Improvement Program.
Project Timeline:
Activity | Anticipated Date* |
Environmental Document | January 2026 |
Right-of-Way Acquisition | Summer 2026 |
Construction Begins | Fall 2029 |
*Future dates subject to change
Project Comments:
NCDOT accepts comments throughout all phases of project development.
All comments will be taken into consideration, and carry equal weight, regardless of submittal method.
Comments for consideration during the current phase of project development
were to be submitted before July 31, 2025.
The public is encouraged to leave comments using this webpage, email, or phone number:
Email: US321Bus-SmyreCreek@publicinput.com
Phone Number: 984-205-6615 and enter project code 11171 to leave a message
Project Contact Information
Nora McCann, EIT
Project Manager
NCDOT Project Management Unit
1582 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699
Project Contact Information
Michael O'Connor, Jr., PE, DBIA
Consultant Project Manager
HW Lochner
2840 Plaza Pl. #202
Raleigh, NC 27612
Title VI Feedback
To ensure we’re hearing from a broad set of voices, would you be willing to share (completely anonymously) some information about yourself?
If so, please click here https://publicinput.com/NCDOT-Title-VI-Form
Resources for Property Owners
Although the N.C. Department of Transportation works to minimize the number of homes and businesses displaced by a road
project, it is inevitable, in many cases, that a certain amount of private property is needed. The following information explains right
of way acquisition and answers questions about the process.
Right-of-Way Brochure Single Page Layout Folleto del Proceso de Adquisición de Bienes Raíces
Right-of-Way Frequently Asked Questions
Right of Way Acquisition Process Videos
Page last updated: May 13, 2026
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