Open Houses Scheduled for I-485 Express Lanes Project
Pre-construction meetings to be held July 25, 26
RALEIGH – Each day, approximately 80,000 to 146,000 vehicles travel along I-485 between I-77 and U.S. 74 (Independence Boulevard), making it a heavily congested area.
As a way to offer drivers the option of more reliable travel times, plans are being finalized in the Charlotte area on the proposed I-485 Express Lanes project, which was requested by the Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization. The project would serve as part of a larger network of express lanes.
On July 25 and 26 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., the N.C. Department of Transportation and Turnpike Authority will hold two open house-style meetings to update the public on the project and gather input. Interested residents are invited to stop by one or both meetings to learn more information about the project, ask questions and provide feedback.
Wednesday, July 25, 2018
4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
CPCC Levine Campus – Building II
2800 Campus Ridge Road
Matthews, NC 28105
Thursday, July 26, 2018
4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Pineville United Methodist Church
110 S. Polk Street
Pineville, NC 28134
For anyone unable to attend these sessions, the same information is online at
https://publicinput.com/I-485-Charlotte. Residents can also ask questions and submit feedback through this website.
Upon final approval by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), this project will add an express lane in the median in each direction on I-485 between I-77 and U.S. 74 (Independence Boulevard) to improve traffic flow in this critical transportation corridor. One general purpose lane will also be added between Rea Road and Providence Road. None of the existing lanes will be tolled.
The State of North Carolina will own the I-485 express lanes. The N.C. Turnpike Authority and the N.C. Department of Transportation are in charge of the planning, construction and maintenance of the express lanes. Toll accounts will be administered by the N.C. Turnpike Authority.
To further improve traffic flow in the corridor, three other projects will also be built at the same time as the I-485 express lanes project. These include:
- Widening Ballantyne Commons Parkway Bridge in Charlotte;
- Building a new interchange at Weddington Road in Matthews; and
- Improving the John Street interchange in Matthews.
The required environmental documentation for this project is anticipated to be approved by FHWA later this summer. Construction is anticipated to begin in summer 2019 and the project is expected to open to traffic in 2022.
NCDOT will provide auxiliary aids and services under the Americans with Disabilities Act for disabled persons who wish to participate in these meetings. Anyone requiring special services should contact Diane Wilson, senior public involvement officer at
pdwilson1@ncdot.gov or (919) 707-6073.