As seen from the heights of Norfolk’s Center Cemetery, an access road supports construction of the Route 44 retaining wall while also helping to stabilize the steep bank. After a hiccup or two, the retaining wall is now rising to meet it. Work stopped over the winter because of cold weather and, when work resumed, five panels were removed in order to shift expansion joints needed to allow sections of the wall to expand and contract when the temperature changes. Then construction paused a second time when construction inspectors found “hairline” fractures in some concrete facing panels. Eva Zymaris, a spokesperson for the state Department of Transportation, said concrete pours have resumed—one occurred on Friday and another will be scheduled for the following week—even as DOT and K2 Infrastructure continue to assess the optimal concrete mix for the project. Passing motorists will note that some sections are covered with wet burlap, which Zymaris described as a method to facilitate the curing process after concrete forms are removed. The project is still expected to reach substantial completion this year. Zymaris said landscape planting will resume in September with final plantings slated for spring 2027