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The N.C. Department of Transportation awarded a $83.3 million contract Tuesday to widen Interstate 485 in south Charlotte, a project that will relieve one of the most congested highways in the state.
Lane Construction Corp. of Cheshire, Conn., was awarded the design-build contract as low bidder. The state said in a news release that the bid was $14 million lower than what the DOT had estimated.
When finished, I-485 will be widened to six lanes from Interstate 77 to Rea Road – a 9.2 mile stretch of the outerbelt. Design work could begin next month. Construction is expected to start in May or June 2013 and the widening is set to be completed in December 2014.
Gov. Bev Perdue had moved up the start date of the project by two years.
In addition to the extra lane in each direction, the project includes a flyover interchange ramp from U.S. 521 North/Johnston Road to the inner loop of I-485.
Lane Construction, which has an office in Charlotte, is also rebuilding I-85/I-485 interchange in north Charlotte, and widening 6.8 miles of I-85 to eight lanes from Mecklenburg County into Cabarrus County. Steve Harrison
