Heads up, Holly Springs! While progress continues on the project to widen Holly Springs Road, construction of right turn lanes on two key town thoroughfares – Main Street and N.C. 55 – will begin soon, and a new signal on Avent Ferry Road is being installed.
“We understand how important infrastructure, particularly roadway improvements, are to our community as Holly Springs and the entire region continues to grow,” said Kendra Parrish, Holly Springs Utilities & Infrastructure executive director.
“Along with the growth comes an influx of vehicles using roadways in town,” Parrish said. “While many of the town’s most heavily traveled thoroughfares – including N.C. 55, Holly Springs Road, and Avent Ferry Road – are state roads managed and maintained by the NCDOT, the Town of Holly Springs continues to take initiative in critical road improvement projects that impact both local and regional commuters – all in an effort to help reduce congestion and keep vehicles flowing.”
Holly Springs Road
Work to widen Holly Springs Road to a consistent four-lane, median-divided thoroughfare with sidewalk, curb and gutter, and pedestrian crossings continues. Active construction on the road between Flint Point Lane to Sunset Lake Road began in 2022, and the Town’s contractor is nearing completion of work along the northern portion of the road. Later this year, the Town plans for vehicle travel to be shifted to the northern side of the roadway so construction can occur along the thoroughfare’s southern length.
“With the 540 interchange opening soon, the Holly Springs Road widening will go a long way in increasing road capacity,” Parrish said. “The project also is providing a new four-lane bridge over Middle Creek, alleviating historic flooding during heavy rainfall events.”
Additionally, the project will expand safe bike and pedestrian routes near Holly Springs schools and the Middle Creek Greenway, which is anticipated to open later this year.
Once the Middle Creek Greenway and Holly Springs Road widening projects are complete, pedestrians and cyclists will be able to travel from Sunset Lake Road to Holly Springs Road to downtown Holly Springs and beyond all on sidewalk and greenway connections.
Turn Lanes on Main Street and N.C. 55
Progress toward the construction work on turn lanes on two key Holly Springs thoroughfares also is underway. The turn lane projects on Main Street and on N.C. 55 will help reduce congestion at busy intersections.
The Main Street right turn lane is being constructed for northbound vehicles between Earp Street and Holly Springs Road. Lane closures along Main Street may occur as Duke Energy crews relocate overhead utility lines underground. A willow oak tree near the intersection also will be removed. A certified arborist confirmed that the tree is diseased and dying, but the Town will attempt to salvage any wood for repurposing, if possible.
The right turn lane along N.C. 55 for southbound vehicles turning onto Main Street is being lengthened to Avent Ferry Road. Within the next few months, streetlights along southbound N.C. 55 between Avent Ferry Road and Main Street will be removed in preparation for turn lane construction. They will be relocated following construction.
Both turn lane projects are being constructed simultaneously in an effort to save funding and resources. Construction is expected to begin this summer and be completed in about a year. The projects are partly funded by the transportation bond approved by voters in 2018. The Town also received more than $1.2 million in federal funding for the projects.
New Signal on Avent Ferry Road
Construction to install a traffic signal with a new signalized pedestrian crossing at the Avent Ferry Road and Holly Meadow Drive intersection also is beginning. The first step is installing concrete signal pole foundations. Occasional lane closures may occur between 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Installation of signal arms could occur in a few months, and signal activation is anticipated this fall. The signal is expected to improve vehicular and pedestrian safety at the intersection while relieving congestion during peak hours.
