Tryon Road widening project nearing end

The road from Campbell Road to Dillard Drive has been under construction for more than two years and is nearly eight months past its projected completion date.

Tim Sudano, who manages the project for the city, says the project should be finished by April.

"April's not too far off," he said. "We will have it finished here shortly."

Sudano says the city will bill the contractor, Triangle Grading and Paving, for every day past the project's original May 2009 due date.

Triangle Grading says the city did not get utilities moved in time to make that deadline.

The projected completion date is welcome news for parents of students at nearby Swift Creek Elementary School, who have complained of daily traffic headaches in and near the work zone.

"It is very frustrating," said Jennifer Rose, who says she has to fight her way through a maze of traffic cones every morning to drop off her three children. "It has been an extended period of time. We thought it would be completed by now."

Even when the project is complete, there are concerns.

The road design doesn't allow left turns to and from the school, meaning parents and school staff will have to make U-turns at busy intersections.

School administrators say the school system will examine the issue when the project is finished.