BOONE – A contractor for the N.C. Department of Transportation (NCDOT) is continuing the installation of new safety measures along U.S. 321 between Blowing Rock and Boone. This ongoing work, which began on Tuesday, September 24, 2026, involves placing rumble strips and applying new pavement markings. The project is being carried out nightly, as weather conditions permit, and will continue until all installations are complete.
The safety enhancements are being implemented by TRP Construction Group LLC, a company based in Fort Worth, Texas. Their contract covers the installation of these critical safety features along more than five miles of U.S. 321. The specific stretch of highway affected runs between Possum Hollow Road and Deerfield Road, both located within Watauga County.
Lance Byrd, who serves as the resident engineer for Watauga, Caldwell, and Avery counties, emphasized the purpose of these new installations. Byrd stated that the rumble strips are specifically designed to provide an audible and tactile alert to drivers who might be drowsy or distracted. This warning system aims to notify motorists if their vehicle begins to drift out of its designated lane. The intention behind these alerts is to give drivers sufficient time and opportunity to correct their vehicle's path, thereby preventing them from potentially driving off the road or colliding with other vehicles.
Motorists traveling along U.S. 321 during the nightly work periods should anticipate slow-moving traffic. The NCDOT advises all drivers to remain alert and to actively avoid any form of distracted driving, especially in construction zones.
Earlier this year, TRP Construction Group LLC completed a similar project aimed at enhancing road safety. That previous operation also involved the installation of rumble strips and pavement markings on a different section of U.S. 321, located in northern Caldwell County between Green Hill Road and Kirby Mountain Road. This prior successful implementation underscores the contractor's experience with such safety upgrades.
The NCDOT continues to prioritize road safety across the region, and these upgrades on U.S. 321 represent a commitment to improving conditions for all road users in the High Country. Residents and visitors are reminded to exercise caution and patience while the necessary work is underway to complete these important safety improvements. Drivers seeking current travel conditions are encouraged to utilize official NCDOT resources.
