The N.C. Department of Transportation has started work on three projects in Western North Carolina.

In Haywood County, the DOT awarded a $1 million contract to resurface 12.7 miles of U.S. 276 from Forest Service Road 256 to Looking Glass Creek in Transylvania County. Work should be completed by Aug. 24.

In Macon County, the DOT awarded a $3.6 million contract for road resurfacing. The project involved 14.4 miles of U.S. 64 in the Cullasaja Gorge and 3.8 miles of Horse Cove Road. The work should be completed by Oct. 19.

In Graham County, the DOT awarded a $1.6 million contract for preservation work on the bridge on N.C. 28 spanning the Little Tennessee River below Fontana Dam in Graham County.

The preservation work will involve hydro-demolition, or the application of intense water pressure, to remove old concrete from the bridge deck. Then a new concrete overlay will be applied to the deck, and the bridge will be repainted.