US 29 70 Bridge Shift Near Thomasville Alters Guilford County Traffic
Southbound traffic on US 29 and 70 near Thomasville was shifted onto a new northbound bridge on the night of Dec. 3, as crews work to replace the southbound span. Additional lane and ramp restrictions on approaches near High Point were updated Dec. 1 to Dec. 5, creating changed traffic patterns residents should expect through the replacement work.
On the night of Dec. 3 southbound traffic on US 29 and 70 near Thomasville was moved onto a newly completed northbound bridge while crews prepare to replace the existing southbound bridge. The change was part of long running bridge work and it was implemented to maintain traffic flow while the southbound span is taken out of service for replacement.
Regional traffic alerts updated from Dec. 1 to Dec. 5 listed a series of lane and ramp closures and pattern changes affecting US 29 approaches near High Point as well as other maintenance items under North Carolina Department of Transportation oversight. The aggregated notices included start and end times, recommended detours and updated timestamps. Motorists were advised to expect lane shifts, reduced lane capacity and to allow extra travel time when using these corridors.
The immediate impact fell to weekday commuters, commercial drivers and local services that rely on US 29 and 70 as a freight and commuter artery. Drivers experienced changed merging patterns and temporary lane reductions, which can increase congestion during morning and evening peaks. School transportation routes and emergency responder travel times are vulnerable to such shifts, and local businesses that depend on predictable delivery windows can face delays.
The work reflects a broader infrastructure renewal effort that aims to replace aging spans while keeping traffic moving. The phased approach that places traffic on a new structure while an old structure is replaced is a standard construction method, but it requires clear communication and active traffic management to limit disruption. The alerts included recommended detours to ease bottlenecks and advised motorists to follow posted signs and allow additional travel time.
For local residents the practical steps are simple and immediate. Expect altered traffic patterns on US 29 and 70 and on approaches near High Point, plan extra time for trips that use those routes, and follow posted detours and lane control signs. Continued updates and time stamps were provided in the traffic alerts during the Dec. 1 to Dec. 5 update window, and travelers should monitor official traffic notices before driving through the work zones.
