Widening of U.S. 1 from Marston to the Moore County line continues, said G. R. Kindley Jr., Division 8 representative, N.C. Department of Transportation.

“Limited” work is still being done on the widening of U.S. 1, a separate project from Rockingham to Wiregrass Road, he said.

The work on that widening was curtailed last week because the contractor, Boggs Paving of Monroe, was ahead of schedule on work, and more NCDOT funds were not available until July.

“I do not foresee any problem with the Marston to Moore County project,” Kindley said. “The budget has been set.”

Construction on that project began in December. R. E. Goodson Construction Company of Darlington, S.C., was awarded a $26.6 million contract for the work which includes two new bridges over Drowning Creek.

Right-of-way clearance has begun at Marston northward with the cutting and mulching of timber and some drainage areas installed.

“The budget is adequate for the that work through the 2009 to 2010 fiscal year,” Kindley said. The completion date is Nov. 15, 2011.

NCDOT is watching its overall funds week by week, he said.

Kindley said it will be interesting to see what happens when Barack Obama becomes president, and if he is able to get an economic stimulus bill enacted to provide money for highway work and where it will go.