Construction of new Castle Bridge set to begin this month

After years of talk and delay, work on a new bridge spanning Lake Rhodhiss between Burke and Caldwell counties will begin before the end of September.

Castle Bridge, on the northern edge of Rutherford College and which was constructed in the early 1960s, will remain in use while the new bridge is being built beside it.

The N.C. Department of Transportation (DOT) awarded the $30.8 million contract to build the new bridge to Balfour Beatty Construction of Wilmington on Monday.

The contract calls for work to begin on the project later this month, and for the new bridge to be in place by the end of March in 2029.

The new bridge will be built just west of the existing structure. The bridge, which the DOT says “will be built to modern standards,” will feature a 12-foot lane in each direction and a 10-foot walking and bike path.

“That’s definitely good news that the project is finally getting started,” said Rutherford College Mayor Yates Jensen following Monday night’s Town Council meeting.

“That road is such an important artery for both counties that a safe bridge is absolutely necessary,” he added.

Castle Bridge is one of the busiest bridges in the area. Connelly Springs Road is utilized by many southern Caldwell County residents as the quickest route to Interstate 40, while many central Burke County residents cross the bridge enroute to the Ingles Market in Baton.

At this point, it is unclear when or if the road will be widened and improved on either the Burke or Caldwell County sides.

Widening and improvements on the Burke County side have been discussed but no state funding has been provided.

On the Caldwell County side, funding for widening and pedestrian improvements has been approved, but the start of actual construction is at least six years in the future.

“It’s been a long road to get to this point, and I’m delighted that everybody will soon see construction,” said DOT Regional Engineer Tim Anderson. “We sought input from local municipalities, citizens, engineers and others on the bridge design with a focus on safety and mobility during and after construction.”

The agenda for the council meeting was limited, with most of the time being taken up with a discussion of upcoming events in the town.

The Trail of Treats Halloween event for children will be held on Friday, Oct. 24, from 5-7 p.m. at the town greenway adjacent to Town Hall.

Town Clerk Terra Brieno, who asked for the council’s help in staffing the event, said the town’s parents love bringing their children to it because, “they know they’ll be safe, there’s no running out in the street, and we have plenty of parking.”

Also upcoming is the town’s annual Christmas Parade and fireworks show, scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 13.

Brieno said the staging area for this year’s parade will be near the High Country Community Health office off Malcolm Boulevard near Hilltop Street.

The council also approved an amendment to the town’s utility policy ensuring that town staff have the right to access utility meters and they cannot be blocked by cars or shrubbery.

The council’s next meeting will be Monday, Oct. 6, at 7 p.m. at Town Hall.