Drivers face a year of detours when this clogged NC interstate interchange is rebuilt
Expect a year of detours when the state revamps the notoriously congested interchange at Interstates 85 and 485 in west Charlotte beginning in 2025, N.C. Department of Transportation officials said in a recent update.
The project moved forward in November when North Carolina House Speaker Tim Moore said he was allocating $45 million in House Contingency funds to accelerate the redesign, The Charlotte Observer reported at the time.
Moore called the interchange one of the most congested in the state.
The money will fund the design and construction of a revamped I-85 and I-485 interchange in western Mecklenburg County, near Gaston County and Charlotte-Douglas International Airport.
Detour options and how to give feedback
The state will detour traffic because the Sam Wilson Road bridge over I-85 will be closed for a year during construction of the revamped interchange, according to the project update on NCDOT.gov.
Two detours are being considered:
▪ A west detour option called the blue route – Sam Wilson to Performance Road to Moores Chapel Road to U.S. 29/74.
▪ An east detour option known as the pink route – Sam Wilson to Moores Chapel Road to I-485 to U.S. 29/74.
View maps and offer your thoughts about the detour options and overall interchange project at a public meeting 4-7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 8, at Mount Caramel Baptist Church, 7237 Tuckaseegee Road.
NCDOT representatives will be available to answer questions and receive comments.
Project highlights
NCDOT proposes building a new road with more room for drivers to exit I-485 to I-85. Proposed improvements include, according to the NCDOT project page:
▪ Widening the bridge from the I-485 off-ramp to I-85 South, located over the I-85 southbound off-ramp to Sam Wilson Road.
▪ Building a new road along I-85 South to carry I-485 off-ramp traffic to I-85 South.
▪ Building a new bridge on Sam Wilson Road over the new road.
▪ Moving the Sam Wilson ramp to I-85.
Project timetable
Construction is scheduled to begin in fall 2025 and finish in fall 2028, according to the state.
The state expects to sign environmental documents this spring that would allow for the construction and begin buying right-of-way this summer.
This story was originally published February 2, 2024 at 5:00 AM.