CHINA GROVE – Drivers who travel through the work zone for the I-85 Corridor Improvement Project will encounter a short closure next week while crews place beams for construction of a new bridge at N.C. 152 in China Grove.

A small section of I-85 North at the N.C. 152 interchange will close overnight from midnight until 6 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 10, and Wednesday, Oct. 11.

“Following the installation of the beams contract crews will build a more efficient bridge to accommodate the interstate widening,” said Division 9 Resident Engineer, Kelly Seitz.

Law enforcement will be stationed at the closure and will detour motorists around the work along I-85 North and the U.S. 152 interchange.

Overall, the project involves:

• Replacing and rebuilding several bridges over I-85 and eliminating substandard clearances,
• Adding four travel lanes (two in each direction) to an 8-mile stretch of I-85 to improve traffic flow,
• Completing the expansion of I-85 through Cabarrus and Rowan counties.

“Without these improvements, traffic volumes are predicted to increase each year and exceed capacity by 2035,” said Division 9 Board Member Michael Wells Sr.

The entire project is scheduled to be complete by November 2019.

For more information about the project, you can contact NCDOT Resident Engineer Kelly Seitz atkseitz@ncdot.gov or (704) 630-3220.

Transportation officials remind motorists to watch signs for construction information, stay alert and obey the posted speed limit.

For real-time travel information, visit DriveNC.gov or follow NCDOT on Twitter.