I-485 Express Lanes Opening to Traffic Tomorrow Morning

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NCDOT, NCTA and other dignitaries cut the ribbon on the I-485 Express Lanes.

Leaders from the North Carolina Department of Transportation, the North Carolina Turnpike Authority and other dignitaries cut the ribbon on the I-485 Express Lanes.

CHARLOTTE – The N.C. Department of Transportation (NCDOT) and N.C. Turnpike Authority (NCTA) officially cut the ribbon this morning for the I-485 Express Lanes, which adds one express lane in each direction for approximately 17 miles between I-77 and U.S. 74 in south Charlotte.

The project includes an additional general-purpose lane in each direction from Rea Road to Providence Road, a new interchange at Weddington Road, improvements at the E. John Street interchange in Matthews and a wider bridge taking Ballantyne Commons Parkway over I-485. The express lanes will open to traffic on Feb. 28 at 6 a.m.

"Today marks the culmination of years of hard work, collaboration and a shared goal to bring greater mobility to Charlotte and to the region," said NCDOT Western Deputy Chief Engineer Brett Canipe. “This project will help everyone spend less time in their vehicles and more time doing other things they enjoy."

Drivers should be aware that some final construction activities will be ongoing along locations near E. John Street and Weddington Road.

For more information, visit ncquickpass.com/i485.

Toll Rates

After opening, the toll rates for the I-485 Express Lanes will initially be determined by vehicle length, time of day and day of the week. To view toll rates, plan a trip with the NC Quick Pass toll calculator. For the first few weeks, roadway transactions will be manually reviewed to ensure accuracy. This additional review will temporarily delay transactions from appearing on NC Quick Pass accounts for several days after travel.

Within twelve months of opening, the express lanes will begin dynamic pricing, meaning that prices will fluctuate based on factors such as the number of drivers in the express lanes and average speeds to ensure traffic in the express lanes maintain a minimum of 45 miles per hour. Drivers will be notified of the price NC Quick Pass account holders will pay on the toll pricing signs prior to entering any segment of the express lanes. Drivers without an NC Quick Pass will pay a higher rate. To open an NC Quick Pass account and save 50% on tolls, visit ncquickpass.com.

Vehicle	Vehicle Length	NC Quick Pass	Toll Invoice
Standard Vehicle	Two-axle vehicles less than 22 feet	Posted rate	Two times posted rate
Extended Vehicle	Two-axle vehicles more than 22 feet or two-axle vehicles with a single-axle trailer	Two times posted rate	Two times toll invoice rate

Toll-Free Travel for the I-485 Express Lanes

The following riders and vehicles qualify for toll free travel in the I-485 Express Lanes: 

Riders utilizing the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) Vanpool rideshare services. 
Transit vehicles with an NC Quick Pass Transit account. 
First responders with an NC Quick Pass First Responder account responding to emergencies for law enforcement, fire, rescue and medical services.

Unlike the I-77 North Express Lanes, which opened to traffic in 2019, there is no discounted or free HOV (high-occupancy vehicle) travel in the I-485 Express Lanes.  

Save 50% on Tolls with NC Quick Pass

Customers with an NC Quick Pass account will save 50% on all NC tolls and can pay tolls electronically in 19 states.

Drivers can sign up for NC Quick Pass at ncquickpass.com or through the NC Quick Pass app. Alternatively, drives can purchase a Sticker transponder online through Amazon or in-person at partnering Harris Teeter, Speedway or 7-Eleven locations. A list of current NC Quick Pass retail partnerships can be found at ncquickpass.com/partnership.

***NCDOT***

2/27/2026 12:55 PM

Published Date:

2/27/2026