I-485 Widening from I-77 to Rea Road

This $83 million North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) design-build project widens I-485 for approximately 9.2-miles from 4-lanes to 6-lanes between I-77 and Rea Road in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. This section of I-485 is one of the most congested roadways in North Carolina, averaging 110,000-135,000 vehicles per day, with trucks making up seven percent of those vehicles.

DRMP provided roadway, bridge and Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) related design services for this project. The Ballantyne Commons Parkway over the I-485 bridge site provided some unique challenges for DRMP's design team. The proposed bridge is 299-feet long. Phased bridge construction will maintain existing traffic for the duration of the project. The superstructure consists of 12-foot sidewalks and a future concrete median. ITS design included: fiber, conduit, electrical, splice details and control equipment for the relocation of a Dynamic Message Sign (DMS). DRMP coordinated directly with the NCDOT ITS Section and Metrolina Transportation Management Center (TMC) for approval of plans. 

Improvements to I-485 are currently under construction and will significantly reduce congestion and result in fewer travel time delays for commuters and commercial drivers in south Charlotte.