RALEIGH, N.C. — The state Department of Transportation has been working for more than two years to widen less than a mile of Alexander Drive in Research Triangle Park. All those cones and barrels in the construction zone have now suddenly disappeared, but it does not mean the work is done.

"This has been a very frustrating ordeal for the department as well," DOT engineer Cadmus Capehart said. "There has been issues with the former contractor that were caught up in court throughout the winter months and it prevented us from being able to step in and finish the project on time.

The goal was to widen from two to four lanes slightly less than a mile of Alexander Drive from Miami Boulevard to the Durham Freeway. The project started in July 2002 and was supposed to be finished in September 2003. Now, the road still needs another layer of pavement.

Businesses and people who use the heavily travelled RTP thoroughfare are stuck in the middle.

"It's a mystery to, I think, everyone that drives around this area. It seems like there's no accountability on a state level for not getting the job done," said business owner Dave Johnson.

The DOT said there are about to be more lane closures to complete the final layer of pavement. The closures will come only during non-rush hours and are expected to last through late Spring.