CHARLOTTE, N.C. — “We wanted this bridge built we wanted this road widened and here we are today," NCDOT at-large member Stephen Rosenburgh said.
The new Elm Lane bridge over I-485 between Johnston Road and Rea Road features an additional travel lane, a bicycle path, and a pedestrian walkway.
To complete the facelift, contract crews closed Elm Lane to traffic between NC-51 and Ballantyne Commons Parkway for a year to demolish the existing bridge over the interstate.
The new construction is just one part of the I-485 Express Lane Project underway along Interstate 485 between I-77 and Independence Boulevard.
The next improvements include:
- Adding one general-purpose lane in each direction of I-485 between Rea Road and Providence Road
- Widening the bridge carrying Ballantyne Commons Parkway over I-485 in Charlotte
- Improving the interchange at John Street in Matthews
- Building an interchange at Weddington Road in Matthews
“Every aspect may not be open but we are going to get traffic moving here," Rosenburgh said.
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Now that the Elm Lane Bridge is open, NCDOT officials said it will provide a vital connection for those who commute, walk or bike in South Charlotte.
“The Elm Lane bridge is one piece of a larger improvement this part of Charlotte needs,” says Board of Transportation member Tony Lathrop.
Contact Ruby Durham at rdurham@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.