Lumberton’s West Fifth Street Bridge to Close for 3-Year Modernization Project

West Fifth Street will shut down over the Lumber River starting Monday. The old bridge needs replacing, which could take three years.

The weather might delay things a few days if conditions turn bad in Robeson County. Officials will watch the forecast before crews start work.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation handed S&C Construction LLC a $6.5 million contract back in November. The Wilmington company will demolish the 70-year-old bridge, which is worn out and nearing the end of its service life.

Two bridges cross the waterway near the city's center, and this is the smaller one that fewer cars use. Last year, a state contractor rebuilt the bigger bridge on N.C. 72.

When workers fixed the N.C. 72 crossing, drivers had to use the West Fifth Street bridge instead. Now the situation flips. Signs will send cars onto that larger structure three blocks away once Monday's closure begins.

The replacement will feature wider lanes. Shoulders will expand. Sidewalks will grow to help people walk through downtown more safely.

Railings will stand taller than before, and builders will match the decorative style from the newer N.C. 72 bridge. Storm drainage systems and traffic signals near West Fifth Street and North Water Street will get upgrades.

Drivers should expect their trips to take longer. Plan different routes while construction happens. Detour signs will point to other crossings nearby. Crews expect to finish everything by late 2028.