Elm Lane Closure Starts Monday

CHARLOTTE – A south Charlotte road will close after 9 a.m. Monday, Aug. 31, as part of the I-485 express lanes project ​underway to add an express lane and deliver additional corridor improvements along Interstate 485 between I-77 and U.S. 74 (Independence Boulevard).

Elm Lane will be closed to thru traffic between N.C. 51 and Ballantyne Commons Parkway so contract crews can safely demolish the existing bridge over I-485 and build a wider structure with a multi-use path on the bridge’s west side. 

During the year-long closure, traffic will be detoured along N.C. 51, Rea Road and Ballantyne Commons Parkway. Local access to residences and businesses will be maintained on either side of the overpass. 

Crews will start demolition the week of September 8 to remove the bridge deck and girders in phases, starting on the inner loop. Intermittent lane closures will be in place in this area from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. for up to a week to remove this portion of the bridge deck.

Then, crews will temporarily stop traffic on I-485 for 30-minute increments from midnight to 5 a.m. up to three nights to remove bridge girders on the inner loop. After each closure, crews will allow traffic to clear before implementing another. 

The same sequence will be followed to remove the bridge deck and girders on the outer loop.

The project will also include these improvements:

The State of North Carolina will own the I-485 express lanes. The N.C. Turnpike Authority and the N.C. Department of Transportation are leading the planning, construction, and maintenance of the lanes. All tolling, account management and toll collection customer service will be administered by the Turnpike Authority. 

Drivers should be mindful of crews working in this location and allow extra time to reach their destination.

For real-time travel information, visit DriveNC.gov or follow NCDOT on social media.