KANNAPOLIS, N.C. — A Kannapolis neighborhood is now caught in the middle of two major bridge projects.
The first is on one side of Brantely Road at Lake Fisher Bridge, which state officials shut down months ago after they found decaying beams.
The second bridge crosses Interstate 85.
Both are set to be rebuilt at the same time, but shutting them down means no way in and out of the neighborhood.
Howard Willis who delivers mail along Brantley Road isn't sure what people living in the neighborhood will do once crews start rebuilding Lake Fisher Bridge.
"I don't know how they'll survive," Willis said. "I guess they'll get helicopters for transportation."
After deeming Lake Fisher Bridge unsafe over the summer, North Carolina Department of Transportation hired a firm to start construction in July 2015.
NCDOT had already planned to rebuild the bridge over Interstate 85 in July 2015 as part of the I-85 widening project.
Officials expected to use Lake Fisher Bridge as a detour. NCDOT is now considering two new options.
Option 1: Rebuild the Lake Fisher Bridge first and then when it's complete rebuild the bridge over I-85.
There is no word if that will delay the I-85 widening project.
Option 2: Build a new bridge over I-85 and use the old bridge as the detour.
Crews would then be able to rebuild Lake Fisher Bridge at the same time.
Channel 9's Stephanie Coueignoux asked NCDOT officials how much both options would cost taxpayers.
They said they don't know but expect to have those numbers later this week.
For Ted Haverty who lives near both, he believes time is more important that money.
"Let's get it done," Haverty said. "Let's get it done -- got to have the bridges done -- whatever it takes."
NCDOT officials told Channel 9 they will discuss cost and timelines with the I-85 project manager later this week and plan to make a decision at that time.
See more trending stories at wsoctv.com:
[ Officials: 1 dead after tractor-trailer overturns onto Union Co. deputy's cruiser ]