The N.C. Department of Transportation is making progress on the $125 million I-85 widening project in the Concord area, moving into two important phases this week that include shifting traffic to the new Poplar Tent Road bridge this weekend, and demolition work on the existing N.C. 73 bridge. These steps will require lane closures on I-85 and intermittent ramp closures at Poplar Tent Road and N.C. 73 for the next several nights, weather permitting.
Contractor Lane Construction has scheduled the following activities:
• Tonight, June 26, 9 p.m. – 6 a.m.:
Left lane will be closed on I-85 North and South from the Coddle Creek Bridge to George Liles Parkway (Exit 54) ;
Exit ramp from I-85 South to Poplar Tent Road (Exit 52) will be closed intermittently; and
Entrance ramp from Poplar Tent Road to I-85 South will be closed intermittently.
• Wednesday, June 27, 9 p.m. – 6 a.m.:
Crews will be paving on Poplar Tent Road in preparation for shifting traffic later in the week;
Exit ramp from I-85 North to Poplar Tent Road will be closed intermittently; and
Entrance ramp from Poplar Tent Road to I-85 North will be closed intermittently.
• Thursday, June 28, 9 p.m. – 6 a.m.:
Crews will close the left lane on I-85 North from George Liles Parkway to N.C. 73 (Exit 55) to move equipment on site for the N.C. 73 bridge demolition work;
Traffic on I-85 North will take the N.C. 73 exit up and over the interstate to continue north; and
Crews will complete paving operations on Poplar Tent Road in preparation for shifting traffic to the new bridge Friday evening, June 29.
• Friday, June 29, 9 p.m. – 6 a.m.:
The left lane will be closed on I-85 North from George Liles Parkway to N.C. 73 to continue demolition work on the N.C. 73 bridge;
Traffic on I-85 North will take the N.C. 73 exit ramp up and over the interstate to continue north; and
At 9 p.m., crews will shift traffic on Poplar Tent Road from the existing bridge onto the new structure. Flaggers will be on site to direct motorists.
• Saturday, June 30, 9 p.m. – 6 a.m.:
Crews will close the left lane on I-85 North from George Liles Parkway to N.C. 73 to continue demolition work on the N.C. 73 bridge; and
Traffic on I-85 North will take the N.C. 73 bridge up and over the interstate to continue north.
Motorists wanting to avoid the area are advised to use U.S. 29 as an alternate route to I-85.
The project includes widening I-85 from four to eight lanes from south of Bruton Smith Boulevard to N.C. 73 in Cabarrus County, and converting the interchanges with Poplar Tent Road and N.C. 73 to diverging diamond interchanges. More information on the project is available at NCDOT’s Charlotte Outer Loop page.
The project is scheduled to be completed in November 2013.
NCDOT reminds motorists to watch signs for construction information, stay alert and obey the posted speed limit.