U.S. Highway 12 - Morristown to Watauga

Project Summary:

This nine and one-half mile project involves the complete reconstruction of U.S. Highway 12 including the replacement of the narrow bridge one mile east of Morristown. This once narrow highway with minimal shoulders, upon completion, will have two 12-foot driving lanes along with 6-foot shoulders. The new grade line will provide travelers with improved sight distance, flatter in-slopes, and wider ditches that will allow for more snow storage capacity.

When construction crews and equipment are present during work hours, the traveling public will be guided through the project with flaggers and a pilot car. Motorists should expect delays of up to 15 minutes. Traffic speeds will also be reduced to 45 mph through the work zone.

Project Timeline:

April 22, 2024 - Aug. 2025

Project Updates:

April 22, 2025:

March 15, 2025 – April 15, 2025, Completed Work: The off alignment grading work began the week of April 7, 2025. The contractor has begun excavation for the installation of the 72” concrete culvert approximately three miles west of Watauga. They also began processing the in-place surfacing from west to east on the last two and one-half miles of the project.

Anticipated work April 15, 2025 – May 15, 2025: Processing and removal of surfacing along with grading work will proceed from west to east on the last (east) two and one-half miles of the project.

March 31, 2025:

On Monday, April 7, 2025, work will resume on U.S. Highway 12 between Morristown and Watauga to complete the final three miles of the nine-mile reconstruction project.

Work adjacent to the roadway will begin on Monday, April 7, 2025, with work impacting traffic beginning on Thursday, April 10, 2025.

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Dec. 20, 2024:

The bridge one mile east of Morristown is complete and open to traffic. All riprap work around the bridge is complete as well.

Work is suspended for the season. Six-and-a-half miles of this nine-mile grading project are complete. The remaining two-and-a-half miles will be completed in the spring/summer of 2025.