CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) and the Turnpike Authority hosted an open house at Endhaven Elementary Thursday to discuss plans for the I-485 Express Lanes before construction starts this summer.
The project will add an express lane in the median in each direction on I-485 between I-77 and U.S. 74 (Independence Boulevard) to improve traffic flow.
One general purpose lane will also be added to I-485 in each direction between Rea Road and Providence Road. None of the existing lanes will be tolled.
"They're an option when time matters most,” said Hillary DeLong, communications with N.C. Turnpike Authority. “If you need to be from point A to point B today and express lanes are there, that's an option drivers can choose to try to get to their destinations faster."
The toll rates will fluctuate based on demand. If more drivers want to use the lanes, the toll will be higher. If fewer drivers want to use the lanes, the toll will be lower.
Construction on the project is set to begin summer 2019 and wrap up in 2022. Officials working on the project heard concerns from the public on Thursday.
"We want to hear all the feedback you have,” DeLong said. “We try to be transparent and open with everyone who's got questions."
John Bilardello, who lives in the Piper Glen area, came to the open house to voice his comments on the project.
Bilardello said he moved to Charlotte about four years ago from New York. He said the traffic doesn’t compare, but it can be a nuisance during certain times of the day on I-485.
"The traffic on 485 isn't that bad until it gets to rush hour, which is generally 4:30 to 6:30, and there's a bottleneck,” Bilardello said.
He is concerned about the noise the project will add to the area.
"There is no noise wall that goes along Piper Glen from Rea Road to the Ballantyne Commons Bridge, and we absolutely need it,” Bilardello said.
He hopes that the construction on eases some of the growing pains and traffic in the booming South Charlotte area.
"I hope by 2022 traffic is relieved,” he added.