Update from Boone, NC: Out with the old, and on to Phase 2.

Project Superintendent Shaun Ryder captured these impressive nighttime shots as his crews demoed the old bridge deck on our North Carolina Department of Transportation NC 105 Watauga River Bridge Project.

Last month marked the completion of Phase I, when traffic was shifted onto the first two lanes of the new bridge over the Watauga River. That shift cleared the way for Phase II: removing the original 75-year-old bridge and constructing the remaining two lanes of the new bridge in its place.

The traffic shift came after years of challenging work through steep High Country terrain, extensive rock excavation and blasting, slope stabilization, and changing weather conditions. Now, as the old structure comes down, crews are preparing to build the second half of the new bridge in its place. The project is scheduled for completion in late 2027.

Great work by Shaun and our entire NC 105 team as we move another major phase forward!