The future roadway linking Mallard Creek Road and Graham Street, near Rumple Road in Derita

State transportation staff will give an update on the Graham Street Extension / Mallard Creek Road realignment project at a public meeting 7-9 pm Oct. 24 at Derita Presbyterian Church, 2230 W. Sugar Creek Road.

The project will ease congestion in the Derita business district and improve traffic flow near University Research Park.

The Oct. 24 meeting, hosted by the Derita-Statesville Road Community organization, will be the NCDOT staff’s fourth update on the road project.

“The presentation on October 24 will review progress since the last meeting and preview upcoming work,” said Warren Cooksey, a spokesperson for the state Transportation Department.

North Carolina is building the new roadway between the Graham Street – West Sugar Creek Road intersection and the Mallard Creek Road – Nevin Road intersection, plus widening Mallard Creek Road to four lanes between Nevin Road and West W.T. Harris Boulevard.

The project, begun in spring 2014, was originally scheduled for completion in spring 2017. Work stalled about two years ago, as the state encountered several underground utility lines that had to be relocated.

The state now expects to complete the project by early 2019, with the roadway open to vehicles in late 2018.