Milling of Roanoke Avenue is expected to reach the uptown business district later today.

Roanoke Rapids Public Works Director Larry Chalker said vehicles parked on the sides of the avenue need to be moved or risk towing at the owner’s expense.

Public Works employees have put flyers on parked vehicles advising motorists the vehicles need to be moved.

Chalker said there are routes along Hamilton and Jackson streets drivers can navigate to reach their destinations on the avenue.

There are also free municipal lots along Hamilton and Jackson streets which will allow motorists to walk to their destinations along the avenue.

In the downtown sections already paved, Rose Brothers has started painting lines.

The state Department of Transportation said last week its tentative plan for the Roanoke Avenue resurfacing project is to do the work in three sections.

The department said the order is as follows:

From Jackson Street Extension to Seventh Street first 

Then from Seventh Street to Julian R. Allsbrook Highway 

And finally from Julian R. Allsbrook to Highway 158

DOT said, barring inclement weather, the resurfacing project will take three weeks.

The state chose Rose Brothers as the contractor for the work.

Parking on the side of the avenue during the project is not allowed.

The department said the work will be done in the daytime and in sections, meaning the contractor will mill away, repave and restripe one section at a time. The contractor will maintain two-way traffic on the three-lane road, but motorists are encouraged to slow down and be alert in the work zone.