Traffic closures could begin this week as part of the King Street widening project.

Contractors informed the N.C. Department of Transportation that beginning the week of Aug. 24, crews are to begin installing water lines and sewer lines at N.C. 194 between the Wilco station and New Market shopping center, which will likely have an affect on traffic with either a lane closure or a flagging operation. 

The contractors' plans are to begin work on U.S. 421 in front of the hotels across from New Market, which will also affect traffic with a lane closure. This section will include preliminary work to begin the process of building retaining walls.  The lane closures can only take place between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Monday thru Friday.

NCDOT engineer Ed Treadway said the contractors' plans could change on short notice. Much of the work is expected to take place at night.

The project will widen U.S. 421/King Street to a four- to six-lane divided highway with a raised concrete median from U.S. 321/Hardin Street to east of N.C. 194/Jefferson Road.

The $15 million project improving 1.1 miles of road is expected to be complete by the end of 2011.