Thanks to a $283 million contract awarded by the N.C. Department of Transportation this month, another stretch of Interstate 95 in Robeson County will be widened.

Webber LLC of The Woodlands, Texas, will expand the eight-mile stretch of the interstate from its present four lanes into eight lanes between mile markers 29 and 37.

Additionally, the contractor will reconstruct exits 31 and 33 to uphold modern standards and replace the following overpasses with bridges that are higher, longer and wider: Great Marsh Church Road; East McRainey Road; and East Parkton Tobermory Road.

The purpose of the project is to reduce congestion, prepare for anticipated growth in traffic volumes, improve regional mobility, increase safety and construct an infrastructure more resilient against future flooding.

The contractor is expected to begin this fall by adding temporary pavement to the shoulder and installing concrete barriers to create a safe work zone. Lanes will not be reduced, except at night, for the duration of the project.

However, brief interstate closures at night will be required for the demolition of bridges or installation of new bridge girders over the highway.

The contractor will have until the end of 2026 to complete all of the planned improvements.

This is just one of four construction contracts underway to widen I-95 between Lumberton and Benson.