Surry Business

The N.C. Board of Transportation on Feb. 8 awarded contracts totaling more than $106 million for highway improvement projects in 32 counties.

None of the contracts are for projects in Surry County, but Smith-Rowe Inc. of Mount Airy had four winning bids.

The contracts are to:

• Replace the bridge on Rivermont Road (S.R. 1402) over Nancy Rhodes Creek between Cole Mill Road and Rose of Sharon Road in Durham County. Work on the $539,351 project is scheduled to start between March 3 and May 15, and be finished within 180 days.
• Replace the Wallburg-High Point Road (S.R. 1741) bridge over Spurgeon Creek in Thomasville. Work on the $1.2-million project may begin as early as March 3, with final completion scheduled for Nov. 15.
• Replace the N.C. 801 bridge over Fulton Creek in Davie County. Work on the $1.2-million project may begin as early as March 3, with final completion scheduled for June 15, 2009.
• Replace the Mitzpah Church Road (S.R. 1631) bridge over Muddy Creek near Rural Hall in Forsyth County. Work on the $598,671 project may begin between March 15 and June 1, with final completion set for 135 days after work begins.

Now in its 25th year, Smith-Rowe Inc. specializes in bridge, tunnel and elevated highway construction. The company employs about 75 people. Dun & Bradstreets estimates its annual sales at $12.5 million. David Rowe is the company’s president.

The next NCDOT board meeting will begin at 9 a.m. Thursday, March 6, in Room 150 of the Transportation Building at the corner of Wilmington and Morgan streets in downtown Raleigh. On Wednesday, March 5, board committees will begin meeting at 8:30 a.m.