LENOIR COUNTY, N.C. (WITN) – A long-delayed highway project here in Eastern Carolina is now back in the fast lane for completion.

Work on safety upgrades on three Highway 11 intersections in northern Lenoir County was stalled since before Christmas after the original contractor defaulted, according to the Department of Transporation.

The D.O.T. says a new contractor has taken over the job and work to complete the project has resumed.

Barnhill Contracting is expected to wrap up the project in about a month, the D.O.T. says.

The D.O.T. says there is still a fund balance of nearly $600,000, so any costs over that will be paid by the surety company from the original contractor.

The original $920,146 contract was supposed to be completed by last November.