CONCORD – As work continues on the Interstate
85 widening project in Cabarrus County, N.C. Department of
Transportation contract crews are preparing to open up additional lanes in both
directions between mile markers 55 and 63. Bridge work is also ongoing at the
Dale Earnhardt Boulevard overpass, requiring lane closures.
Starting
tonight at 9 p.m., crews will close the right lane on I-85 North from mile
marker 58 to 60. All northbound lanes will close at midnight. Motorists will be
detoured from exit 58 to U.S. 29 to Dale Earnhardt Boulevard, before returning to
I-85 North. All lanes will open by 6 a.m. Friday, Nov. 30.
Contractor
Blythe Construction also is planning to have four lanes open to traffic on I-85
South from exit 63 to 55 in the project limits on Friday morning, and on I-85
North by Saturday morning, Dec. 1.
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 project also
involves replacing and rebuilding several bridges over I-85 to meet current
design requirements and eliminate substandard clearances.
The project
will complete the expansion of I-85 through those two counties. Without these
improvements, traffic volumes are predicted to increase each year and exceed roadway
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.