HIGHWAY 321 DELAYS (construction between Lenoir and Blowing Rock) -- NCDOT is widening Highway 321 between Lenoir and Blowing Rock.  On Tuesdays and Thursdays, crews often close Highway 321 from noon through 2 p.m. for blasting operations.  The best alternate route is to avoid traveling between Lenoir and Blowing Rock during early afternoon hours, as all available detours are quite long.  If traveling from Charlotte, consider using I-77 North to Highway 421 (Exit 73, north of Statesville), and then follow Highway 421 North into Boone.  From Lenoir, use NC 18 to US 421, or use US 64 (to Morganton) to NC 181 (to Linville) to US 221 (to Blowing Rock,) as alternate routes.