Two Major Construction Projects Underway in Oak Ridge
We currently have two major construction projects happening in Oak Ridge—both designed to make everyday life a little easier and help keep our town connected for the future.
________________________________________
Roadwork at NC 68 & NC 150
The road improvement project at the intersection of NC 68 and NC 150 is well underway. The two most important things I can ask from you during this time are simple: patience and safety.
As with any large-scale infrastructure effort, there will be unexpected hiccups. Equipment might break down, show up off schedule, or run into hidden utility lines. Maybe a buried rock appears right where no one expected it. These kinds of surprises are common—and they rarely stick to a neat timetable.
While the contractor is scheduled to limit lane closures between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM, unforeseen circumstances may cause adjustments. A closure might start early, or last longer than planned. I ask for your understanding if things don’t go exactly as expected—these short-term inconveniences are part of a long-term improvement.
Just as important: please stay alert and drive with care. Watch out for other drivers—and especially for the workers onsite. They’re trained to be mindful of traffic, but their focus is on getting the job done. Sometimes they may not even realize how close they are to the edge of the road. Please slow down, give them space, and remember they’re not trying to make your drive difficult—they’re trying to make our roads better.
________________________________________
Water Tower Construction Near Town Hall
The second major project is the construction of Oak Ridge’s first municipal water tower—a huge step in bringing a reliable public water system to our community.
This project will move in phases, with bursts of activity followed by quieter stretches. One day, your walk to the park may be peaceful—just you, your earbuds, and the trail. The next day, you might encounter heavy equipment moving in and out of the construction site next to Town Hall.
During this time, please be especially aware as you approach Town Hall from either direction—whether you’re on foot or behind the wheel. Take a moment to look around and adjust to whatever activity might be happening at the site that day.
________________________________________
Both of these projects are meaningful investments in the future of Oak Ridge. I appreciate your patience, your caution, and your continued support as we take these big steps forward—together.
As always, if you have questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to me or to Town Hall.
---
I welcome further discussion and encourage residents to share their thoughts on these or any other issues. Your input is invaluable as we make decisions that shape the future of our town.
You can reach me at:
James.Kinneman@gmail.com
336.207.7166
Mayor, Oak Ridge, NC
This is my personal account. The views, opinions, and posts shared here are my own and do not represent official communications or policies of the Town of Oak Ridge. For official updates, please visit oakridgenc.com.
