The N.C. Department of Transportation will be working with contractor Lane Construction to set bridge girders for the future Mallard Creek Road Bridge over I-85 in Charlotte beginning Wednesday, July 25, weather permitting.
The new bridge is part of converting the existing I-85/I-485 interchange to a turbine interchange, the first of its kind in North Carolina. A visualization of the design can be seen here.
In order to safely place the bridge girders, the work will take place in two phases, requiring traffic on I-85 to be detoured around the work zone.
Phase One – July 25, 26, 27, 30: Beginning at 9 p.m. each night, crews will close the left lane on I-85 South between Bruton Smith Boulevard (Exit 49) and Mallard Creek Church Road (Exit 46). Rolling road blocks may take place intermittently to allow crews to lower bridge girders into position;
At 10 p.m., all traffic on I-85 North will be detoured at I-485 (Exit 48) to U.S. 29 North to Bruton Smith Boulevard back to I-85 North;
Also at 10 p.m., the ramp from the I-485 Outer Loop to I-85 North will be closed;
Law enforcement will be at major intersections along the detour route to assist with traffic control; and
All lane closures and detours will be removed by 6 a.m. each morning.
Phase Two – August 1, 2, 3, 6: At 10 p.m. each night, all traffic on I-85 South will be detoured at Bruton Smith Boulevard (Exit 49) to U.S. 29 South to the I-485 Outer Loop back to I-85 South;
Also at 10 p.m., the ramp from Concord Mills Boulevard to I-85 South will be closed;
Law enforcement will be at major intersection to direct traffic; and
All lane closures and detours will be removed by 6 a.m. each morning.
This project is one of three concurrent jobs to complete the Charlotte Outer Loop. The interchange is scheduled to be completed in June 2014.
NCDOT reminds motorists to watch signs for construction information, stay alert and obey the posted speed limit.
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