Construction resumes on Independence Boulevard | Charlotte Observer

Operations have resumed on the widening and conversion of Independence Boulevard after more than four months of halted construction.

Work on the conversion of Independence to a freeway was stopped in January due to disagreements between the state and the former general contractor. The project will be managed by Lane Construction Corp., who was approved as the project’s replacement contractor.

Though the original completion date was October 2016, the new contractor has proposed a revised completion date for summer 2017. The N.C. DOT is working with the new contractor to consider ways to expedite the process.

The cost for work on the current 1-mile-plus section is $51.2 million for construction and $50 million for right-of-way. Over 70,000 vehicles travel per day through the area. By 2030, traffic volumes are expected to range from 77,2000 to 91,000 vehicles a day.

The project is designed to improve mobility and traffic flow in the Independence Boulevard corridor in east Charlotte. When complete, the boulevard will become an expressway from Albemarle Road to Wallace Lane.