Charlotte Outer Loop Audi Dealer

The N.C. Department of Transportation is coordinating four separate projects that will complete and improve the I-485 Outer Loop and widen I-85 near Concord and northeast Charlotte. The three projects in the northeast Charlotte area include:

• Building the final 5.7 miles of I-485, which will run from west of N.C. 115 to west of I-85 and link I-77 to I-85.
• Converting the existing I-85/I-485 interchange to a turbine interchange, the first of its kind in the state.
• Widening approximately 7 miles of I-85 from four to eight lanes from south of Bruton Smith Boulevard/Concord Mills Boulevard at Exit 49 to north of N.C. 73 at Exit 55 in Cabarrus County. The project also includes converting Popular Tent Road and N.C. 73 to a superstreet design.

All three I-485/I-85 improvement projects will feature interchange designs being used for the first time in North Carolina. These interchanges improve safety, move traffic more quickly and significantly reduce project costs. Using these innovative interchange designs as well as using the design-build method saved approximately $130 million on the three projects.

The fourth project will widen the southern section of I-485 from four to six lanes between I-77 and Rea Road.