E.S. Wagner Company, LLC is under contract to perform the first two phases of the North Carolina Department of Transportation's realignment of U.S. 74 near Shelby, NC, in Cleveland County. In the planning stages for over 20 years, the Shelby Bypass initiative will increase motorist safety and relieve traffic congestion on U.S. 74 by re-routing through-traffic around the north side of Shelby. Cleveland County officials have described the long-anticipated project as a "top priority", citing improved access and a better environment for economic development.
With a combined value of $58.8 million, E.S. Wagner's projects comprise roughly eight miles of new, four-lane divided highway. Construction consists of 3+ million cubic yards of earthwork, thirteen bridges and overpasses, nearly 46,000 linear feet of pipe and multiple interchanges. The first phase, from U.S. 74 to Kimbrell Drive, commenced in July of 2013, and is currently on schedule to complete in March of 2017. The second phase, from Kimbrell Drive to Hwy. 226, is now underway, and is expected to be complete in 2018.