Last Updated on April 5, 2025 8:17 pm
NORTH WILKESBORO – The North Wilkesboro Speedway lights will be on tonight.
But there will be no racing. The lights will help a contractor for the N.C. Department of Transportation safely place a new pedestrian bridge over U.S. 421.
At 9 p.m. tonight, crews will close both directions U.S. 421 between Exits 277 and 282 near the bridge. They plan to re-open the highway by 5 a.m. A marked detour will direct northbound traffic to Windy Gap Road (Exit 277) then right to Speedway Road to N.C. 115 and back to U.S. 421. Southbound traffic will travel those roads in reverse order on Friday night.
The contractor, Smith-Rowe, has spent the week assembling the bridge on Fishing Creek Road. Crews will complete the final tasks today, and inspectors will conduct one more examination before sunset.
NCDOT is managing the project to install the new bridge which will accommodate pedestrians attending events at North Wilkesboro Speedway and eliminate the need to close Fishing Creek Road during those events.
The 16-foot-wide bridge will cross the highway and provide easy access to the speedway for folks who park in lots south of U.S. 421. Officials anticipate opening the bridge in time for race week in early May.
For real-time travel information, visit DriveNC.gov or follow NCDOT on social media.
