Project Overview
Planning and development are underway on a proposed project to improve approximately 10 miles of I-85 from the U.S. 321 interchange (Exit 17) in Gastonia to the N.C. 273 interchange (Exit 27) in Belmont.
To meet travel demands, I-85 will be widened from six to eight lanes in Gaston County. Interchanges, highway and railroad bridges will also be replaced to accommodate the expansion.
This project has been divided into three sections:
1. Widen I-85 from U.S. 321 interchange (Exit 17) to west of N.C. 7 (Exit 23) & improvements to Cox Road/U.S. 29/74 in Gastonia
2. Widen I-85 from west of N.C. 7 (Exit 23) to east of N.C. 273 (Exit 27) & improvements to N.C. 7/U.S. 29/74 in Belmont
3. Replace two Norfolk Southern Railroad bridges, one P&N Railroad bridge and the bridge on Groves Street in Lowell
Project Funding
The first phase of this project is listed as Project I-5719A/U-6044 in the
N.C. Department of Transportation's State Transportation Improvement Program and is funded for $587.7 and $65.3 million.
Property acquisition
| $47,200,000
| $49,500,000 |
Utility relocation
| $12,300,000 | $1,500,000 |
| Construction costs | $528,205,000 | $14,300,000 |
|
Total cost |
$587,705,000 | $65,300,000 |
*Estimated costs subject to change
The second phase of this project is listed as Project I-5719B/U-5800 in the
N.C. Department of Transportation’s State Transportation Improvement Program and is funded for $567.8 and $41.9 million.
Property Acquisition
| $38,400,000
| $18,600,000
|
Utility relocation
| $47,900,000
| $3,700,000
|
Construction costs
| $481.505,000
| $19,600,000
|
Total cost
|
$567,805,000
|
$41,900,000
|
*Estimated costs subject to change
This third phase of this project is listed as project I-5719C in the
N.C. Department of Transportation’s State Transportation Improvement Program and is funded for $240 million.
Property Acquisition
| $5,000,000
|
Utility relocation
| $2,600,000
|
Construction costs
| $232,400,000
|
Total cost
|
$240,000,000
|
*Estimated costs subject to change