GREENSBORO, N.C. — Construction of the Greensboro Urban Loop has been underway since the Spring.
But a new phase of the project has begun; tree chopping. It started about a month ago. Those in the Bluff community have taken notice.
"The noise has been pretty much all day long right here – cutting the trees, grinding it up and all of that," Clarence Nabors said. His backyard will be I-840 when the North Carolina Department of Transportation is done with the Urban Loop.
Nabors said he wishes the NCDOT would put up a noise wall when it's all said and done.
PHOTOS: Urban Loop Progress Coming Along Near Elm Street
"Hopefully it’ll be okay I don’t have anything against it right now but I am concerned – will the noise get louder or will it diminish," Nabors said. "If the noise is bad I would prefer a retainer wall."
The Greensboro Urban Loop is part of the N.C. Department of Transportation’s plan to improve traffic flow within and around the city. Construction of the loop will allow traffic to bypass Greensboro and improve congestion on existing I-40, particularly in the loop that includes I-40, I-85 Business and U.S. Routes 29, 70, 220 and 421.
Nabors already misses his trees.
"This whole area to the right here was full of trees, beautiful trees and they’ve taken every one of them because it’s gonna be a four or six lane road, but that’s all that’s left."
NCDOT Engineer Patty Eason outlined the different parts of the project.
From Battleground to Lawndale:
- This section is scheduled to be finished by September 2019.
- Crews have completed a pedestrian bridge that goes over the Urban Loop, and connects Guilford Courthouse National Military Park to the AY Greenway.
From Lawndale to Elm Street:
- Crews are clearing trees and removing stumps at several side streets like Church, Lake Jeanette, and Yanceyville.
- They are moving utility lines.
- Crews are working on an accelerated timeline, and hope to have this portion done by 2020.
From Elm Street to US 29:
- There isn't as much movement in this area of the project, but NCDOT still hopes to work on an accelerated timeline.
Eastern Loop finishing touches around US 29:
- Crews are continuing to pave this area.
- This area is set to be done by December 2018.
Eason says the recent severe weather has delayed the project, but nothing that will effect it long-term.