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CONCORD Motorists using northbound Interstate 85 in Cabarrus County will be shifted to new northbound lanes Saturday night, as part of the I-85 widening project.
The N.C. Department of Transportation says the lane shift also will mean the closing of part of the ramp at Exit 54.
Traffic will begin using the new northbound lanes, between Poplar Tent Road (Exit 52) and N.C. 73 (Exit 55), at 9 p.m. Saturday. Crews have prepared for the shift by painting new lane markings and resetting the barrier wall.
In addition, the ramp from northbound I-85 to the George Liles Parkway (Exit 54) will be closed from 9 p.m. Saturday until 6 a.m. Wednesday. That is being done, according to the DOT, to ensure a safe transition to the new lanes.
And the ramp from the George Liles Parkway to northbound I-85 will be closed from 10 p.m. Saturday until 6 a.m. Sunday.
The project includes widening I-85 from four to eight lanes between Bruton Smith Boulevard and north of N.C. 74 and converting the existing interchanges at Poplar Tent Road and N.C. 73.
Work is scheduled for completion by spring 2014.
