The N.C. Department of Transportation plans to close a section of Rivermont Road in Durham County for several months while it replaces a bridge.

The construction work to replace the bridge is scheduled to start Thursday, weather permitting.

Rivermont Road will be closed between Cole Mill Road and Valley Springs Road.

Motorists traveling on Rivermont Road must use the following signed detour route: Cole Mill Road to Rose of Sharon Road to Valley Springs Road and back to Rivermont Road and the reverse. Also, the Pump Station Trail entrance to Eno River State Park will be closed for the duration of the project.

The $539,000 contract was awarded to Smith-Rowe Inc. of Mount Airy. Workis expected to be complete in November 2008.

The department reminds motorists to stay alert, travel at non-peak times and use alternate routes, when possible.

Motorists can plan ahead by visiting the DOT's Traveler Information Management Web site at www.ncdot.org/traffictravel/ or calling 511, the state's free travel information line for current travel conditions.

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