Visitors heading to the High Country this week for the holidays will not encounter lane closures along the U.S. 321 widening project in Blowing Rock. However, construction work will continue prior to the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

Construction crews will be in the work zone:

•  Monday, Nov. 19, with lane closures.

• Tuesday, Nov. 20, and Wednesday, Nov. 21 — There will not be any lane closures from 6 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 20, to 6 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 26, due to the Thanksgiving holiday.

Travelers are advised to drive with caution as the work area now has temporary pavement markings that may be unfamiliar to some drivers, according to NCDOT officials. A lane shift is located near Cliff Dwellers Inn at the intersection with U.S. 221 and U.S. 321 Business.

The speed limit along U.S. 321 remains 35 miles per hour. The N.C. State Highway Patrol continues to monitor this corridor for speeding violations, officials said.

The road widening preparation work continues at a steady pace. Occasional lane closures will continue on weekdays between the Shoppes on the Parkway and Green Park Inn. This work will not close the entire road, nor will there be any detours, allowing motorists to get through the work zone with only brief delays, according to NCDOT.

The N.C. Department of Transportation reminds all motorists to drive slowly using caution in work zones. When lane closures are in effect, remember to watch for flaggers standing near the roadway and be prepared to stop.

Call the project hotline at (828) 964-3260 to speak to an NCDOT representative during regular weekday business hours (8 a.m. until 5 p.m.). Please note that the hotline will not be available on Nov. 22-23.