DOT Crews Work To Unclog Capital Boulevard Jams

"I come along anywhere from 8:30, 9:30 or 10 a.m," motorist James Kornegay said. "Sometimes, I have to wait and there's just cars coming in, jumping in and out of the traffic flow, and there's just as many cars on the road until they just don't have room hardly."

The problems in the area usually start just north of I-540 where the lanes begin to squeeze down. The state Department of Transportation said it has a solution that will run all the way from the I-540 interchange up to Durant Road.

Crews will take what is now mostly a turn lane and rebuild it into a third northbound travel lane. Longer turn lanes will be added at Perry Creek, and an additional turn lane will be added from northbound Capital Boulevard to Durant Road.

Engineers will also try to synchronize traffic lights from Mini City to Thornton Road. Many motorists claim the lights at Durant Road and Capital Boulevard are the most poorly timed.

"The markings and the loops in the pavement are no longer in the place they need to be, so there is going to be a little transition there from what we did have to do and what we will have when they finish their work," DOT engineer Jon Nance said.

The sensors will not be adjusted and lights will not be sychronized until the road work is finished. The DOT is using federal grants to fund some of the roadwork.

The work could be done by as early as the end of this year or as late as next spring.