Big, Honkin' Bumps Rattle Cary Drivers

A $5.2 million widening project for Chapel Hill Road involves putting down a new layer of asphalt. But with only the outside lanes of the road resurfaced, the drive on Northeast Maynard Road through the intersection has been a trailer-rattling, tire-thumping experience in recent days.

"I'm worried about my shock absorbers, worried about my tires," driver Brittany Dorman said.

"Do I get a discount at the mechanic for this? It's horrible," driver Joni Sumrak said. "There's no warning. You'll be driving along and -- bam -- you're going over the edge."

Cary senior engineer Russ Overton said there's plenty of warning about the bumps when drivers go onto and off of the new asphalt. Orange "Bump" signs are posted on Northeast Maynard Road as drivers approach the intersection, he said.

"For the amount of time I think it's going to take to finish paving, I believe it's adequate," Overton said. "You wish you could finish all that at the same time. But unfortunately, it's just an aspect of the type of construction that you have to go down and come back and go down.

"I hope this is seen as a temporary inconvenience."

No accidents have been reported at the intersection since paving began Monday.

Resurfacing on the remaining lanes of Chapel Hill Road is expected to be completed next Monday, eliminating the bumps, Overton said.

The entire improvement project, including bike lanes and sidewalks, should be finished in a couple weeks.

In the meantime, Overton suggested that drivers go slower than the posted 45 mph speed limit along Maynard Road.