While some Signal Mountain residents are looking forward to sleeping in for an extra 10 minutes each morning, others who live near the W Road may miss the peace and quiet they have experienced for the past 12 weeks.
One thing's for sure - when the W Road reopens within the next week, many locals will be affected.
After months of work, Hamilton County officials say that barring any unexpected weather conditions, the W Road should be open to drivers beginning Monday, July 15.
"We are on schedule," Hamilton County Engineering Director John Agan said last week.
Over the last 12 weeks, repairs have been made to sections of the road that developed large cracks in April, possibly caused by geological shifting.
"The road is placed on the edge of a ridge, built up on large rock, stone - all on the edge of an escarpment," explained Agan. "What we probably saw over a period of time was movement. For a 121-year-old road, the road is in great shape. The areas of concern were addressed and those repairs have been made."
As of last week, only a few things were left to be done, including lane striping and putting up any final signage along the curvy route, he said.
"It was a very important and interesting repair work," said Agan. "It was a concerted effort [by GeoStabilization International and Hamilton County Public Works]. The efforts were well-coordinated and well-managed."
Though rainy weather caused setbacks toward the beginning of the project, Agan said work stayed both within the planned schedule as well as the project's $1.3 million budget.
"We thank the public for their patience and cooperation while there was an inconvenience. I know because I use [the W Road] every day," said Agan. "We ask again that the truck-driving public adhere to the posted signs. Trucks cannot navigate those curves."
To read more in-depth about the problems and overall repair project, refer to the article at timesfreepress.com/news/2013/jun/15/w-road-repairs-on-schedule-in-budget-at/?local.