CONCORD – Contract crews working on the
I-85 widening project in Cabarrus County will temporarily close
northbound lanes and ramps to open four travel lanes to motorists later this
week.
Due
to poor weather conditions over the weekend, the contractor is requesting
additional time to prepare to open four northbound lanes from exit 55 to 63.
Tonight
at 9 p.m., three of four northbound lanes will be closed between exit 54 and
55, in addition to the exit and entrance ramps at exit 55. All traffic control
will be removed by 6 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 4.
Weather
permitting, additional lane and ramp closures will be scheduled this week to
open additional travel lanes.
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.