CHARLOTTE – Repairs are needed to a bridge taking Caldwell Street over Interstate 277 in uptown Charlotte.
During a routine inspection last week, N.C. Department of Transportation crews discovered impact damage to one of the bridge's beams, indicating a recent hit.
Since the discovery, local staff have been coordinating with NCDOT's Structures Management Unit to assess the necessary repairs and create a schedule to complete them.
Repairs include:
- Heat straightening a section of the damaged bridge beam
- Removing a damaged section of the beam at mid-span
- Welding a new section into place
To complete the repairs safely, double lane closures will be in place on I-277 Inner underneath the Caldwell Street bridge beginning Thursday night, July 30, through Thursday morning, Aug. 6, from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. each night.
The next round of closures will begin on Thursday night, Aug. 6, when I-277 Inner and Caldwell Street will be closed to replace a section of the mid-span beam. Temporary support beams must be installed before removing the damaged section of the beam and will occupy travel lanes on I-277, making the full closure necessary.
Both closures will be in place continuously through 5 a.m. Monday, Aug. 10. During this time, drivers will be detoured off I-277 Inner at Exit 3A to 11th Street, continuing back to I-277 Inner.
Ramps from I-77 to Exit 11 (Brookshire Freeway/I-277 Inner) will also be closed and rerouted to Exit 9 (John Belk Freeway). Drivers should plan to use alternate routes to avoid delays.
For real-time travel information, visit DriveNC.gov and follow NCDOT on social media.