Local

I-485 toll lanes work prompts detour on major Charlotte road. Here’s what we know.

A stretch of Westinghouse Boulevard and a lane on the outer loop of Interstate 485 will close temporarily this weekend so crews can begin demolishing a bridge for the I-485 toll lanes project, North Carolina highway officials said Wednesday.

Westinghouse Boulevard between South Boulevard and Downs Road will be closed in both directions from 8 p.m. Friday until about 5 a.m. Monday, according to the N.C. Department of Transportation.

The outer loop lane on I-485 will be closed from 9 p.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Saturday, officials said.

“The demolition will start at the center of the bridge deck, working in both directions,” NCDOT officials said in a news release . “Once the deck is removed, crews will move to take down the bridge girders and haul them away.”

A detour will be in place for drivers from Westinghouse to South Boulevard, N.C. 51 and Downs Road. Access to Rodney Street and Old Nations Ford Road will be maintained. Law enforcement will be on site to help alert drivers to the work area.

The I-485 toll or express lanes project will add a toll lane in the median and other I-485 improvements between I-77 and Independence Boulevard in south Charlotte.

This image from the North Carolina Turnpike Authority shows some of the improvements planned or underway as part of express lane construction along Interstate 485 in southern Mecklenburg County.
This image from the North Carolina Turnpike Authority shows some of the improvements planned or underway as part of express lane construction along Interstate 485 in southern Mecklenburg County. North Carolina Turnpike Authority

This story was originally published December 8, 2021 at 5:11 PM.

Joe Marusak
The Charlotte Observer
Joe Marusak has been a reporter for The Charlotte Observer since 1989 covering the people, municipalities and major news events of the region, and was a news bureau editor for the paper. He currently reports on breaking news. Support my work with a digital subscription
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