Major Olive Chapel Road Collapse Keeps Western Apex Connector Closed
A section of Olive Chapel Road in western Apex has remained closed since a substantial collapse on August 6, 2025 linked to heavy rain and a failed metal drainpipe. The Town of Apex and NCDOT say a repair contract will be awarded in late October 2025, with an aluminum boxed culvert project estimated at more than two million dollars and a potential reopening in late January, subject to permitting and utility work.
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A stretch of Olive Chapel Road between Ashley Downs Drive and Patterson Grove Road remains closed after a significant roadway failure on August 6, 2025. Heavy rainfall and the failure of a metal drainpipe prompted a collapse that forced NCDOT to close the road and the adjacent sidewalk, creating a disruption for residents and local traffic in western Apex.
The Town of Apex and NCDOT have posted a joint project information page describing the situation and the planned repairs. NCDOT intends to award a construction contract in late October 2025. The winning contractor will install an aluminum boxed culvert designed to meet modern standards and carry larger volumes of stormwater beneath the roadway. The repair estimate exceeds two million dollars, and NCDOT has indicated the section could reopen in late January, while noting the schedule is subject to permitting, right of way acquisition and utility relocation work.
Olive Chapel Road serves as a heavily used connector for commuters, school traffic and local trail access, magnifying the closure s local impact. Residents have reported altered commute patterns, increased travel times on alternate routes and interruptions to pedestrian and bicycle access along the closed sidewalk. For families and school transportation systems that rely on consistent local routes, the closure has required adjustments to pick up and drop off plans and raised concerns about safety on detour corridors.
Beyond immediate inconvenience, the collapse highlights broader issues for local stormwater management and infrastructure resilience. The planned aluminum boxed culvert aims to convey larger amounts of water than the failed metal drainpipe, reflecting a shift toward infrastructure sized for heavier runoff events. NCDOT s timeline and cost estimate will be subject to change as permitting and utility coordination progress, and the town page points residents to contacts and NCDOT project materials for updates and public input.
Local officials and transportation planners face decisions about prioritizing repairs, securing necessary right of way and coordinating with utility providers to expedite work while addressing long term drainage needs. The more than two million dollar price tag places the project among significant short term capital investments for the area, and it will be important for residents to follow project updates to understand potential budget impacts and schedule adjustments.
The Town of Apex continues to provide links to the NCDOT project page and public input materials so residents can track progress. Accurate and timely information will be essential as contractors mobilize and permitting and utility relocation tasks move forward. The closure underscores the importance of maintaining aging stormwater infrastructure and planning for increased rainfall intensity as development and climate patterns evolve.
