09/04/2026
🚧 CATAWBA AVENUE STREETSCAPE PROJECT UPDATE 🚧
We have received an important update on the Catawba Avenue Streetscape Project as work prepares to move into its final major phase — roadway reconstruction and paving.
NCDOT has approved the temporary road closure and detour routes that will be needed to complete this work.
📅 Current Target Schedule:
• Week of Sept. 8 – Paver installation
• Sept. 14 – Town Board Meeting update, including road closures and detour routes
• Week of Sept. 21 – Roadway demolition and subsurface exploration
• Week of Sept. 28 – Excavation and base correction
• Week of Oct. 5 – Paving, striping and reopening of the corridor
🚗 Traffic & Detours
Commerce Street will be closed to through traffic during the roadway work. Detour routes will be in place, including separate routing for heavy truck traffic.
🏪 DOWNTOWN BUSINESSES WILL REMAIN ACCESSIBLE
Pedestrian access to all downtown storefronts, restaurants and businesses will remain open throughout construction. Plans are also in place to accommodate commercial deliveries and other necessary business access.
Because the roadway has been in place for decades, the exact timeline will depend in part on the conditions found beneath the existing pavement once excavation begins. The project team will have geotechnical testing on site so decisions can be made quickly as work progresses.
📍 Representatives from Destination by Design and Tennoca Construction will attend the September 14 Town Board Meeting at 6:00 PM to review the detour plan, answer questions and discuss the final completion schedule.
👉 Please review the full project update and detour maps here:
https://townofoldfort.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Old-Fort-Detour-Plan.pdf
We know this project has created challenges for our downtown businesses, residents and visitors, and we appreciate everyone's continued patience as work moves toward completion.
