Traffic

Mon, 20 May 2013 13:25:53 EST

HEAVY TRAFFIC EXPECTED ON I-85 THROUGH CHARLOTTE DUE TO RACE EVENTS AT CHARLOTTE MOTOR SPEEDWAY

Heavy traffic is expected on I-85 through Charlotte from Friday, May 17^th through Monday, May 27^th due to race events at Charlotte Motor Speedway.  Roads in the vicinity of the Speedway, northeast of Charlotte, expected to be heavily impacted include I-77, I-85, I-485, US-29, and NC-49.  Commuters that use I-85 can expect delays on Friday afternoon, May 25^th and should adjust driving time accordingly.  Additionally, officials will begin limiting access to I-85 from Exit 49 on that day at approximately 10 p.m.

Motorists that do not need to travel near the Speedway during race events are asked to avoid the area, as heavy congestion is expected.

Motorists attending the event are encouraged to use the following alternate routes:

For motorists traveling from South Carolina: Take I-77 North to the I-485 Outer Loop (Exit 1B) to US-29 North (Exit 32) or NC-49 North (Exit 33). 

For motorists traveling from west of Charlotte: Take I-85 North to I-485 (Exit 48) to US-29 North (Exit 32) or NC-49 (Exit 33).  Or take I-85 North to Poplar Tent Rd (Exit 52) to Pitts School Rd to US-29 South.  Through traffic should remain in the left two lanes of I-85 North to avoid delays near Exit 49. 

For motorists traveling from east of Charlotte: Take the I-485 Outer Loop to US-29 North (Exit 32) or NC-49 North (Exit 33).

For motorists traveling from north of Charlotte: Take I-85 South to Poplar Tent Rd (Exit 52) to Pitts School Rd to US-29 South.

Officials recommend motorists take the I-485 Outer Loop to NC-49 North, which is usually less congested than other suggested routes.

*Last updated 5/15/13 at 7:15PM

Tue, 21 May 2013 09:14:15 EST

LEABOURNE RD TO BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED AT NC-68

Tue, 21 May 2013 09:14:15 EST

I-85 SOUTHBOUND ENTRANCE RAMP CLOSED, NEAR LEXINGTON

Tue, 21 May 2013 08:39:43 EST

All lanes have been reopened near US-52 North/ US-311 North/ Exit 6B.

Mon, 20 May 2013 20:53:29 EST

Right lane is closed near Exit 182 (Harper Road). 

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:38:03 EST

Left shoulder open at Mile Marker 208 (Sandy Ridge Rd).

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:08:36 EST

All lanes have been reopened near US-311 North/Martin Luther King Jr. Drive/ Exit 110B.

Mon, 20 May 2013 17:09:23 EST

All lanes and shoulder are open on 85 South at Mile Marker 155 (Mebane-Oaks Rd).

Mon, 20 May 2013 17:08:18 EST

Shoulder open near Mile Marker 155 (Mebane-Oaks Rd).

Mon, 20 May 2013 16:59:47 EST

All lanes are open on 85 South near Mile Marker 153.

5/20/2013 4:39:45 PM

Informal workshop is scheduled from 4-7 p.m.   CHARLOTTE – The N.C. Department of Transportation has scheduled a citizen workshop tomorrow, May 21, to discuss improvements for Independence Boulevard (U.S. 74) between Albemarle Road and Wallace Lane. The $51.2 million project started last month to convert 1.6 miles of Independence Boulevard to a median-divided eight-lane roadway. Interchanges will be constructed at Sharon Amity Road, Idlewild Road, and Conference Drive. The project also includes extension of the existing CATS (Charlotte Area Transit System) busway, and accommodations for future transit service.   The workshop is being held to present the final design of the project, construction phasing, and pedestrian access during construction. The project is scheduled to be completed in October 2016.   NCDOT will hold the workshop from 4 to 7 p.m. at Independence Regional Library located at 6000 Conference Drive. Interested individuals may attend any time during those hours. NCDOT representatives will be available to answer questions and receive comments. There will not be a formal presentation at the meeting.   For additional information, contact Jen Thompson, NCDOT Division 10 Communications Officer, at (704) 596-6900 or by email at jenthompson@ncdot.gov, or NCDOT Division 10 Resident Engineer Nat Hunter, P.E., at (704) 845-1151 or at ehunter@ncdot.gov.  Project details are also online at the “U.S. 74 Widening and Improvements” project page (U-209B).   NCDOT will provide auxiliary aids and services under the Americans with Disabilities Act for disabled persons who want to participate in this workshop. Anyone requiring special services should contact Ms. Thompson as early as possible so that arrangements can be made.   Persons who speak Spanish and do not speak English, or have a limited ability to read, speak or understand English, may receive interpretive services upon request prior to the meeting by calling 1-800-481-6494.   ***NCDOT***

5/20/2013 1:28:17 PM

CHARLOTTE – The N.C. Department of Transportation will temporarily close a section of Eddins-Poplin Road in Aquadale at 9 a.m. Monday, June 3, weather permitting.   Contractor J.T. Russell and Sons Inc. will start a $229,000 project to replace the bridge over South Ugly Creek.   Traffic will be detoured around the project from Eddins-Poplin Road to Cottonville Road to Rocky River Spring Road back to Eddins-Poplin Road.   The contractor should have the bridge open to traffic July 31, and can continue vegetation and reforestation work through January 2014.   NCDOT reminds motorists to watch signs for construction information, stay alert and obey the posted speed limit.   For real-time travel information at any time, call 511, visit www.ncdot.gov/travel or follow NCDOT on Twitter at www.ncdot.gov/travel/twitter. Another option is NCDOT Mobile, a phone-friendly version of the NCDOT website. To access it, type “m.ncdot.gov” into the browser of your smartphone. Then, bookmark it to save for future reference. NCDOT Mobile is compatible with the iPhone, Android and some newer Blackberry phones.   For more information, please contact the division bridge program engineer at (704) 983-4400.   ***NCDOT***

5/17/2013 1:08:22 PM

Motorists should stay alert while crews continue N.C. 73 bridge demolition on $125.2 million I-85 widening project   CHARLOTTE – The N.C. Department of Transportation will be working with contractor Lane Construction at the I-85 interchange with N.C. 73 (Exit 55) beginning at 11 p.m. Sunday, May 19, weather permitting.   Demolition of the existing bridge will require intermittent lane and ramp closures in both directions to keep motorists and workers safe. This work is part of the 6.8-mile I-85 widening project, improving I-85 from four to eight lanes from south of Bruton Smith Boulevard (Exit 49) to north of N.C. 73. Lane and ramp closures will take place from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. each night through Wednesday morning, May 22.   Sunday, May 19: Crews will close the left lane on I-85 North and South at N.C. 73 at 11 p.m.; At midnight, traffic will be shifted up and over the exit and entrance ramps on I-85 South at N.C. 73; All lane and ramp closures will be removed by 6 a.m. Monday, May 20.   Monday, May 20: Crews will close the left lane on I-85 South at N.C. 73 at 11 p.m.; Depending on how much work is completed Sunday night, the left lane on I-85 North may need to be closed, also at 11 p.m.; At midnight, traffic will be shifted up and over the exit and entrance ramps on I-85 South at N.C. 73; All lane and ramp closures will be removed by 6 a.m. Tuesday, May 21.   Tuesday, May 21: Crews will close the left lane on I-85 North at N.C. 73 at 11 p.m.; At midnight, traffic will be shifted up and over the exit and entrance ramps on I-85 North at N.C. 73; All lane and ramp closures will be removed by 6 a.m. Wednesday, May 22.    NCDOT reminds motorists to watch signs for construction information, stay alert and obey the posted speed limit.   For real-time travel information at any time, call 511, visit www.ncdot.gov/travel or follow NCDOT on Twitter at www.ncdot.gov/travel/twitter. Another option is NCDOT Mobile, a phone-friendly version of the NCDOT website. To access it, type “m.ncdot.gov” into the browser of your smartphone. Then, bookmark it to save for future reference. NCDOT Mobile is compatible with the iPhone, Android and some newer Blackberry phones.   For more information, please contact the resident engineer at (704) 983-4171.   ***NCDOT***