CONCORD – As work continues on the Interstate
85 widening project in Cabarrus County, lane closures
are scheduled on both sides of the interstate.
Starting Sunday night, Sept. 23, contractor Blythe Construction
will close the right lane on I-85 South from mile marker 64 to 62 to prepare for
opening the new exit ramp to Lane Street. Work will take place from 11 p.m. to
7 a.m. Monday, Sept. 24.
On Monday night, work will affect the right lane on I-85 South from
mile marker 58 to 56, to open a new exit ramp to U.S.
29/601. Work will take place between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 25.
Work will shift to I-85 North on Tuesday night in preparing to open
the
new exit ramp onto Lane Street, and the new I-85 entrance ramp from Lane Street. The right lane will close from exit 60 to 63 between 11
p.m. and 7 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 26.
Activities on Wednesday night will involve shifting the travel
lanes back to the median, requiring intermittent lane closures on I-85 North
from the rest area toward mile marker 60 from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 27.
Overall,
the project involves replacing and rebuilding several bridges over I-85 to meet
current design requirements and eliminate substandard clearances. The department is
adding four travel lanes (two in each direction) to an 8-mile stretch of I-85
in Cabarrus and Rowan counties to improve traffic flow.
The
work will complete the expansion of I-85 through Cabarrus and Rowan counties.
Without these improvements, traffic volumes are predicted to increase each year
and exceed capacity by 2035.
Motorists
are encouraged to pay attention when approaching the work zone, obey the posted
speed limit, follow posted detours, and allow extra time to reach their destinations
safely.
For real-time travel
information, visit DriveNC.gov or follow NCDOT on Twitter.