CONCORD – As work continues on the Interstate
85 widening project in Cabarrus County, N.C.
Department of Transportation contract crews are scheduling lane closures at the
new Norfolk Southern overpass near the U.S. 29/U.S. 601 interchange to paint
steel bridge girders.
Starting today at 9 p.m., crews will close one lane on I-85 South
from mile marker 58 to 55. All southbound lanes will close at midnight,
requiring a detour from exit 58 to U.S. 29 South and N.C. 73 West, returning
back to I-85 South.
As part of the painting operation, the entrance ramp from U.S.
29/601 to I-85 South will also close tonight, starting at midnight and reopen
by 6 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 9. Weather permitting, the work will continue from 9
p.m. Tuesday to 6 a.m. Wednesday.
The
widening 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 followNCDOT on Twitter.