Traffic

Sun, 19 May 2013 13:42:13 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

Mon, 20 May 2013 00:57:19 EST

LEABOURNE RD TO BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED AT NC-68

Mon, 20 May 2013 00:57:19 EST

I-85 SOUTHBOUND ENTRANCE RAMP CLOSED, NEAR LEXINGTON

Mon, 20 May 2013 00:48:35 EST

Due to a vehicle accident, one lane is closed near University Parkway.

Sun, 19 May 2013 21:48:49 EST

All lanes are reopened.

Sun, 19 May 2013 18:06:38 EST

The right shoulder is back open at Maple Avenue, Exit 145.

Sun, 19 May 2013 13:43:01 EST

All lanes have been reopened.

Sat, 18 May 2013 17:57:40 EST

Right shoulder is now open near US-220. 

Sat, 18 May 2013 16:06:14 EST

All lanes are reopened near Exit 163 (I-40 E).

Sat, 18 May 2013 14:38:22 EST

All lanes have been reopened near Exit 147 (NC 87/S.Main Street)

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***

5/16/2013 8:26:50 AM

Closure is necessary for CSX railroad crossing improvements   CHARLOTTE - The N.C. Department of Transportation will temporarily close Hayes Road north of Brickyard Road in Indian Trail at 9 a.m. Monday, May 20, weather permitting.   The closure is necessary for crews to make safety improvements to the CSX Railroad crossing. The repairs may take up to a week to complete.   During the closure, traffic will follow a signed detour from Hayes Road to Old Charlotte Highway back to Hayes Road north of   NCDOT reminds motorists to watch signs for construction information, stay alert and obey the posted speed limit. Know before you go by calling 511, the department’s free travel information line, or get real-time travel information online. NCDOT also offers travel information for motorists and ferry passengers on Twitter. For more information on how to get travel information, visit www.ncdot.gov/travel.   For more information, please call the Union County maintenance office at (704) 283-5941.   ***NCDOT***

5/14/2013 2:38:51 PM

Motorists should stay alert for new lane patterns on $125.2 million I-85 widening project   CHARLOTTE – The N.C. Department of Transportation will shift traffic on I-85 North in Concord beginning at 9 p.m. tonight, weather permitting. Contractor Lane Construction will be placing temporary lane markings on the interstate from south of Poplar Tent Road (Exit 52) to the Coddle Creek overpass, about seven-tenths of a mile. Tonight’s work will allow crews to safely shift traffic to the median where the contractor built a temporary work bridge for the project.   At 9 p.m., crews will close the left lane to install the temporary lane markings. The northbound exit and entrance ramps at Poplar Tent Road will also be closed from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Wednesday, May 15. The lane closure will be removed by 6 a.m.   This shift 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. The project is scheduled to be completed in early 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 resident engineer at (704) 983-4171.   ***NCDOT***