COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) – Several changes are happening on Highway 74/76 in Columbus County.

Lanes are being resurfaced and widened, a guardrail has been added to parts of the median, a couple of interchanges were recently built, an electronic sign was just recently installed, and DOT officials say, in a few weeks they're installing a camera which will allow people to go online and view traffic.

The changes have many people wondering if officials are getting the highway ready to become an interstate. Some business owners are even relocating their businesses closer to the highway in case it does become an interstate.

But according to Drew Cox, the DOT district engineer for Columbus and Bladen Counties, there is no funding to turn 74/76 into an interstate.

Cox said normally when a project gets funding it takes 10 years for construction to start. According to Cox, they're making improvements on Highway 74/76 for safety reasons.

TAR HEEL, NC  (WECT) - Work will begin in May for two bridges In Bladen County on Tar Heel Ferry Road crossing over the Cape Fear River.  

According to the press release, these bridges will be replaced under an $11.8 million contract the NCDOT awarded in March to Carolina Bridge Co. Inc. of Orangeburg, S.C.

ELIZABETHTOWN, NC (WECT) - The North Carolina DOT is shutting down Suggs-Taylor Road near Owen Hill Road for the next month. The reason for this closure is so crews can replace crossline pipes along the road.

Be sure to pack your patience, the road is expected to re-open Monday April, 29.

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