Old Lenoir Road will close for 60 days for the OLLE Art Walk construction starting May 27.
HICKORY, N.C. — Starting Tuesday, May 27, Old Lenoir Road will close from 15th Avenue NW to 12th Street Drive NW as construction advances on the OLLE Art Walk, a major new segment of Hickory’s multiuse trail system. The closure will last approximately 60 days, with access restricted to local traffic and emergency responders. Drivers are advised to use U.S. 321 and Clement Boulevard to detour around the work zone.
The OLLE Art Walk will run about 2.4 miles along Ninth Street NW and Old Lenoir Road, forming a vital connection between the City Walk, Riverwalk, and Aviation Walk sections of the Hickory Trail. This project is a cornerstone of the city’s Crafting Hickory initiative and is supported by over $18 million in grant funding from the Greater Hickory Metropolitan Planning Organization and the North Carolina Department of Transportation. The Hickory City Council approved a $22.7 million construction contract with Neill Grading and Construction Company, Inc. in February 2024, and a groundbreaking ceremony was held on April 4. Construction is expected to take about 24 months to complete.
Old Lenoir Road, once a central thoroughfare, is now home to retail boutiques, a budding arts district, and a variety of businesses. The OLLE Art Walk, named after the OLLE Arts District, aims to revitalize this area with new streetscape features, historical markers, public art installations, and colorful murals. The trail’s alignment will connect key intersections and destinations, providing enhanced safety and accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists while supporting economic development and quality of life for Hickory residents.
For more information about the OLLE Art Walk and updates on construction, visit the City of Hickory’s official website.
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