Town of La Grange Update: DOT resurfacing of town streets
As Town Manager, I want to provide this update regarding the resurfacing of DOT-maintained streets in our community. Beginning in late 2023, the Town undertook a major USDA-funded project to upgrade and replace aging water and sewer infrastructure. This work lasted well over a year, caused significant disruption to our streets, and was carefully coordinated with the N.C. Department of Transportation (NCDOT) with the clear understanding that once our work was complete, DOT would begin resurfacing all DOT streets in La Grange. The agreed plan was for the Town to finish by June 30, 2025, and DOT to begin resurfacing in July 2025.
The Town did its part and met that June 30, 2025 deadline. The DOT resurfacing contract for La Grange is fully funded and has already been awarded to Barnhill Contracting Company. Despite this, the projected start date has continued to slide backwards. DOT originally told the Town the work would begin in July 2025, then pushed it to August, then September, and now most recently has said the start may not be until Spring 2026. The only firm guarantee DOT has given the Town at this point is that the contractor must have resurfacing in La Grange substantially complete by December 2026. That is simply unacceptable!
La Grange is the second largest municipality in Lenoir County. We are experiencing significant growth, preparing for major improvements to our downtown, and we have 474 new homes approved for construction that will grow our population by 40–50%. A brand-new E.B. Frink Middle School is under construction, and there are several new businesses and proposed commercial developments on the horizon. Yet, our roads remain in horrible condition! To have La Grange repeatedly delayed on resurfacing at a time when our community is growing faster than ever is not something we can accept.
The La Grange DOT resurfacing project includes NC 903 through Town, Washington Street (West and East), North Charles Street, Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, North Forbes Street/Ed Herring Road/North Railroad Street, North Railroad Street from West to East through to Fields Station Road, and neighborhood streets such as Turnage Drive, Gary Drive, and Kevin Drive. These are the most heavily traveled and most visible roads in La Grange, and their deteriorating condition is a burden for our residents, businesses, and visitors alike.
We understand that DOT has many miles of roads in Lenoir County and across Division 2 that also need attention. But after more than a year of close coordination with DOT to align our schedules, after being told repeatedly that resurfacing work in La Grange would begin in the month of July 2025, and now seeing the start date pushed back over and over is beyond frustrating and leaves us without the clarity our citizens deserve. La Grange residents should not be told to wait until Spring 2026, particularly when the project is funded, the contract has been awarded, and the Town has already held up its end of the agreement by completing the water and sewer work by June of 2025.
The Town has spoken with numerous DOT officials and will continue to do so at every level. We appreciate the funding secured for this project and the conversations we’ve had with DOT in expressing our significant frustration and concerns so far, but something must happen immediately to address the serious issues with our roads.
The repeated delays are unacceptable, and our citizens cannot wait until Spring 2026 for DOT road resurfacing to begin in La Grange. The Mayor, Council, and I are firmly committed to fighting for La Grange to be moved up on this schedule, and we will not stop pressing until resurfacing begins. Any adjustment that allows even part of the work to start right away on key DOT roads would be a meaningful step forward, and we will continue to push relentlessly for that outcome.
We fully understand the frustration, concern, and demand for action from our citizens. Unfortunately, the reality is that the Town has absolutely no control over the schedule for this project. That authority rests entirely with DOT and the contractor, and only they can adjust the project schedule and start date.
Because the projected start date keeps shifting and changing, we have no firm details to give our citizens with certainty. And again, that is simply unacceptable. Therefore, we strongly encourage citizens with questions and concerns to make their voices heard by contacting the NCDOT Division 2 Office directly at (252) 775-6100.
At the same time, the Town, the Mayor, and the Council will not stop pressing DOT at every opportunity to move the La Grange resurfacing project forward. We are fighting for a start date as early as possible and will continue to do so until this work begins.
As soon as DOT provides us with any meaningful updates or earlier and firm start dates, we will immediately share that information with our community. And as always, if you have any questions, comments, or concerns on this, feel free to reach out to me at (252) 566-3186 or smcondon@lagrangenc.com.
Shawn Condon
Town Manager
Town of La Grange
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