8 reactions to the long-awaited opening of I-485 in South Charlotte
The Story
After years of ripped up roadways, constantly shifting lanes and orange barrels, the $83.3 million widening of I-485 from I-77 to Rea Road is over.
The Reactions
There was love …
WOOO! @NCDOT: All lanes in S.Charlotte I-485 widening to open by Friday http://t.co/mnTdtrxH4M #CLTNews #CLTTraffic pic.twitter.com/DKzn5tlJ2r
— NBC Charlotte (@wcnc) December 17, 2014
Can I just say, I love I-485! I’d still be in traffic if I was going I-77 to work still. Why wasn’t I going this way all along? #dumb
— Megan Elissa (@TheMeganElissa) December 18, 2014
LOOK: I-485 flowing nicely in south Charlotte after new lanes open Thursday http://t.co/YwLCdabzEi pic.twitter.com/5WzgfcT9SH
— WSOCTV (@wsoctv) December 18, 2014
Newly open lanes on 485 outerbelt have changed my life. Like the autobahn … to 521 anyway
— Doug Miller (@DougObserver) December 18, 2014
►I have to say, I find the lack of traffic on I-485 somewhat disconcerting…but I still have I-77!! #Whew pic.twitter.com/SoNopYjJbi
— Charlotte TrafficGuy (@Clt_TrafficGuy) December 18, 2014
//><!--An accident — already//--><!
Accident @ I-485 Outer & Johnston Rd, exit 61. Use Rea Road #clttraffic pic.twitter.com/kboEWuxiWq
— WBTV Traffic Team (@wbtvtraffic) December 18, 2014
And the decidedly unimpressed
While it’s nice that #I485 outter in #Pineville has a new lane open but they didn’t sweep it. Be ready for lots of rock damage. @NCDOT
— Ben T (@OtherWhiteBen) December 18, 2014
“Does anyone really think that adding 1 lane on the outer loop is going to help congestion during the afternoon rush hour? Take a look at Atlanta’s traffic. Their loop is like 6 lanes in each direction and still a parking lot. Traffic congestion is caused by dumb drivers that don’t know how to merge properly, not the number of lanes.” – CharlotteObserver.com commenter
C5’s Take
Hate to burst anybody’s bubble, but expect lane closures in the spring for a final paving. Oh, and there might be toll roads added to portions of 485.
Photo: Davie Hinshaw / Charlotte Observer
This story was originally published December 19, 2014 at 12:58 AM with the headline "8 reactions to the long-awaited opening of I-485 in South Charlotte."