Same contractor involved in two tardy Wake road projects

The 6-mile Rolesville Bypass was a year late when it opened in July. The delays were so bad that the North Carolina Department of Transportation barred Michigan-based DeVere Construction Co. from bidding on new state projects.

DeVere already had the contract for the widening of Leesville Road between Interstate 540 and Hickory Grove Church Road in northwest Raleigh, however.

The mile-long project was supposed to be done by now, but it continues to drag on, much to the consternation of nearby residents.

"What normally takes five minutes in a non-rush-hour situation now takes 25 to 35," Lisa Cox said.

Tim Sudano, who is managing the project for the city, said the big problem during the morning commute is school traffic. Sycamore Creek Elementary School and The Franciscan School, a private K-8 school, are less than a half-mile apart in the construction zone.

"Cars that are dropping off students back up into the travel lanes of Leesville, and it causes gridlock for a period of time," Sudano said.

DeVere officials blame Raleigh for the construction delays, saying city crews were slow to relocate utilities.

Sudano said he plans to look into the cause of the delays once the widened road is opened.

"Right now, my focus is to finish the project," he said.

Cox said Leesville Road can't be done soon enough.

"There are many days when the sun is shining, and no work is being done," she said. "I just feel like they've taken far too long to complete a project that's less than a mile in length."