Work to begin on massive, 10-lane bridge over Interstate 77 near Lake Norman
Crews are scheduled to close lanes permanently on Interstate 77 near Lake Norman next week to begin building a massive new 10-lane bridge over the highway.
The work is part of the $249 million widening of N.C. 150 between N.C. 16 in Catawba County and U.S. 21/N.C. 150 in Mooresville. The project includes improving the I-77 exit 36 interchange at N.C. 150 in Mooresville.
Starting Monday, July 14, crews are scheduled to close the right lanes permanently in both directions on the interstate approaching N.C. 150, according to a North Carolina Department of Transportation news release. Traffic will shift to the inside lanes.
Expect nightly closures from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Two travel lanes will stay open in both directions, as will access to and from N.C. 150.
In the first phase of the bridge work, crews will build additional eastbound lanes on N.C. 150, according to NCDOT. The second phase will add westbound lanes, officials said.
“The final phase will complete the transition to a 160-foot-wide structure featuring ten travel lanes, tying in the bridge to the existing roadway, and removing the existing bridge,” according to the NCDOT statement.
15-mile, five-year highway expansion
The overall, 15-mile N.C. 150 widening project is needed to ease decades-old congestion and handle future crowding, officials said. Charlotte-based contractor Blythe Development LLC heads the work.
Construction began this year and is expected to finish in 2030.
A 5.5-mile stretch from Greenwood Road in Terrell on the lake to U.S. 21 in Mooresville is under construction.