CHINA GROVE – N.C. Department of Transportation contractors will close part of Interstate 85 at the N.C. 152 ramp for construction that’s part of the I-85 Corridor Improvement Project between Rowan and Cabarrus counties.

“We thank the community for their ongoing support as we work to improve this corridor that impacts thousands of drivers daily,” said Kelly Seitz, DOT resident engineer.

The ramp from N.C. 152 onto I-85 Southbound will be closed starting at 9 p.m. Friday and will reopen at 6 a.m. Monday, weather permitting.

Drivers will detour around the ramp closure using I-85 northbound and Webb Road at Exit 70.

Overall, the project involves replacing and rebuilding several bridges over I-85 to meet design requirements and increase the clearance height for larger vehicles traveling along the highway.

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 work will complete the expansion of I-85 through those counties.

Without these improvements, traffic volumes are predicted to increase each year and exceed highway capacity by 2035.

The project is scheduled to be complete by December 2019.

Transportation officials remind motorists to watch signs for construction information, stay alert and obey the posted speed limit.