CHINA GROVE – Motorists traveling northbound through the I-85 Corridor Improvement Project work zone this weekend will be shifted and detoured this weekend, between mile markers 62 and 68 in Rowan and Cabarrus Counties.

“Traffic will be detoured tonight and shifted from the outside lanes to the inside median lanes for the remainder of the weekend while crews conduct widening work,” said Division Engineer Pat Ivey.

Work will take place during the following dates and times:

• Lane closures from 9 p.m. until midnight Friday, Aug. 17, between mile markers 62 and 66;
• Full closure from midnight until 6 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 18, between mile markers 63 and 68; and
• Lane closures from 6 a.m. until 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 18, between mile markers 64 and 66.

Law enforcement will direct traffic along U.S. 29 and Lane Street along the on-site detour.

Overall, the project involves replacing and rebuilding several bridges over I-85 to meet current design requirements and eliminate substandard clearances. 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 Cabarrus and Rowan counties. Without these improvements, traffic volumes are predicted to increase each year and exceed capacity by 2035.

The entire project is scheduled to have four lanes available in each direction along I-85 in December 2019.

Motorists must pay attention when approaching the work zone, obey the posted speed limit, and allow extra time to reach their destinations safely.