SALISBURY — During a public meeting on Thursday, Department of Transportation officials will present plans for an Interstate 85 exit at Old Beatty Ford.

The exit, long desired in southern Rowan County, is planned to occur at the same time as construction crews are widening I-85. As a result of the widening work, southern Rowan County will have a total of two interstate exits — one at Old Beatty Ford Road and another at N.C. 152 near China Grove.

Thursday’s public meeting will last from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Moose Family Center — 990 Old Beatty Ford Road in China Grove. At any time during the three-hour period, interested people can attend the meeting to ask questions, view project maps and offer their opinion about the best design of the interstate exit.

No formal presentation is scheduled to be made. Instead, Department of Transportation staff will be on hand to answer any questions about the design of the exit.

Members of the public can view maps displaying the location and design of the project as they become available online at http://ncdot.gov/projects/publicmeetings/default.html.

Anyone desiring additional information may contact Division Nine Planning Engineer Diane Hampton at 336-747-7800 or by email at dkhampton@ncdot.gov.

The Department of Transportation will provide auxiliary aids and services under the Americans with Disabilities Act for disabled persons who wish to participate in this workshop. Anyone requiring special services should contact Diane Wilson, senior public involvement officer, at 919-707-6073 or by email at pdwilson1@ncdot.gov as early as possible so that arrangements can be made.