Explore projects shaping Charlotte's highway future

Recent highway projects around Charlotte focus on tackling congestion and improving safety. Common themes include road widening, bridge replacements, and public-private partnerships.

A new 10-lane bridge will rise over Interstate 77 near Lake Norman. Crews will begin construction by permanently closing certain lanes. The bridge aims to ease congestion on N.C. 150. Another project expands Interstate 85 near Charlotte. The plan adds lanes and replaces six bridges. A redesigned intersection will help reduce wrecks. Additionally, $3.2 billion intends to extend toll lanes along Interstate 77 through Charlotte to South Carolina. Few exits will remain the same. Meanwhile, an upgrade on the I-85/I-485 interchange near Charlotte Airport addresses a major choke point. Overnight lane closures will span through November.

In this 2023 file photo, Interstate 77 is shut down in both directions during a wreck in Charlotte. A state highway official updated plans on June 18, 2025, for toll lanes through the Queen City.

NO. 1: WHAT’S HAPPENING WITH I-77 TOLL LANES THROUGH CHARLOTTE TO SC? LATEST FROM NCDOT

At $3.2 billion, the project would be the most expensive in state history, NCDOT official says. | Published June 20, 2025 | Read Full Story by Joe Marusak

Construction barrels line the Exit 36 northbound ramp from Interstate 77 to eastbound N.C. 150 in Mooresville on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, for the planned construction of a new 10-lane bridge. By JOE MARUSAK

NO. 2: WORK TO BEGIN ON MASSIVE, 10-LANE BRIDGE OVER INTERSTATE 77 NEAR LAKE NORMAN

I-77 lanes will be permanently closed to improve a bottlenecked exit, state highway officials said. | Published July 8, 2025 | Read Full Story by Joe Marusak

Traffic moves along Interstate 85 in Gaston County in this 2015 photo taken from the Hickory Grove Road Bridge in McAdenville. By ROBERT LAHSER

NO. 3: INTERSTATE 85 NEAR CHARLOTTE TO UNDERGO $337 MILLION EXPANSION, NCDOT SAYS

A lane in each direction will be added, and six bridges will be replaced or improved, officials said. | Published July 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Joe Marusak

A line of traffic starts to form early on Mt. Holly-Huntersville Road in Charlotte, NC on Monday, June 9, 2025. Due to an influx of development of housing and shopping centers, the amount of traffic along this this two-lane road has become increasinngly congested with traffic. Residents have been asking for improvements, mainly to widen the road to accommodate the growth. By Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez

NO. 4: CAN THIS CHARLOTTE TWO-LANE ROAD HANDLE MORE DEVELOPMENT? NEIGHBORS SAY NO

When Michelle Mitchell moved to Mountain Island in 2008, she remembered noticing how undeveloped the northwest Charlotte neighborhood was. | Published August 6, 2025 | Read Full Story by Desiree Mathurin

An aerial view of Interstate 85 near Interstate 485 in Charlotte, NC on March 26, 2024. By Isaiah Vazquez

NO. 5: WORK TO BEGIN ON BADLY CONGESTED CHARLOTTE HIGHWAY INTERCHANGE, NCDOT SAYS

Expect overnight lane closures as a contractor begins improving the chronically congested I85/I485 interchange near Charlotte’s airport on Monday. | Published October 3, 2025 | Read Full Story by Joe Marusak

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.