NCDOT: Rockingham bypass to open Tuesday

ROCKINGHAM — While NASCAR drivers are making test laps around Rockingham Speedway, highway drivers should be able to test out the new bypass.

According to the N.C. Department of Transportation, the bypass for U.S. 220/Future I-73/74 is slated to finally open to traffic Tuesday, Jan. 28.

“The four-lane, median-divided freeway will reduce congestion by removing interstate traffic from signalized intersections, local roads, and highways,” reads a press release from NCDOT dated Jan. 24.

The project was divided into three sections:

• Section A - From U.S. 74 Bypass West of Rockingham at Zion Church Road interchange south of Old Charlotte Highway.
• Section B - From south of Old Charlotte Highway to north of Harrington Road.
• Section C - From north of Harrington Road to the I-73/74/U.S. 220 Interchange south of Ellerbe.
rockingham-bypass-vicinity-mapDownload

Vecellio & Grogan Inc., a fourth-generation family owned contractor based out of Beckley, West Virginia, was awarded the $146 million project in 2019, according to NCDOT.

However, during the most recent meeting of the Richmond County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 7, County Manager Bryan Land said the “final price tag” was around $155 million.

Land told commissioners the bypass had an inspection in mid-December and that it was scheduled to open Jan. 21. He had previously said the open date would be just after Thanksgiving.

It appears, though, the project is ahead of schedule.

The project page on the NCDOT website has the completion date listed as June 2025 with an estimated total cost of $308,133,000.