A months-long project to preserve the Skibo Road bridge spanning the All American Freeway is expected to begin this week.

Initially, a state highway contractor will do work underneath the bridge, necessitating nighttime lane closures on the freeway underneath between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. This work could begin as early as tonight, weather permitting, and will last into August, when crews will shift their attention to the driving deck on top. The nightly lane closures on the All American will occur several times per week.

Because nearly 40,000 vehicles cross the bridge each day, the contractor will be prohibited from closing any lanes on the bridge between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. daily. At other times, drivers can expect up to two lanes, which would be side by side, to be closed at a time. Built in 1976 and widened in 1999, the eight-lane span carries the U.S. 401 Bypass.

The bridge will receive an epoxy resin overlay, which is like a protective sealant that will prolong the life of the concrete driving deck. The process requires the removal of a thin layer of concrete, which is replaced with the overlay material. Any places on the deck that have cracked or chipped away will be repaired. Grooves will be added to the deck to reduce the pooling of stormwater and improve safety.

Other work will include cleaning and repainting the steel girders and replacing bearings and pads that support the girders.

The N.C. Department of Transportation awarded this work to Virginia-based Freyssinet Inc. for nearly $3.9 million. The project is scheduled to be completed by this fall. 

Drivers are reminded to exercise increased caution when driving through the work zone. 

For real-time travel information, visit DriveNC.gov or follow NCDOT on social media.