‘It’s frustrating’: I-485 toll lane project delayed for another two years

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Those already tired of construction on Interstate 485 won’t be happy to hear that the toll lane project between I-77 and US-74 will be delayed.

The delay will impact 147,000 drivers who travel this part of I-485 everyday. The Turnpike Authority has known about the delays for more than two weeks but never notified the public.

George Greene and other drivers know what it’s like to sit on the interstate when it backed up between Independence and I-77.

“It’s frustrating,” Greene said. “It depends on when the back up happens as to whether I can get off and avoid it.”

“It does back up. It does back up quickly and there’s no place to go,” driver Pete Pickering said.

Many drivers have been looking forward to the new project that would add one lane in each direction on I-485, between I-77 and US-74.

The express lanes were supposed to open in 2022, but project delays associated with utility relocation and design changes could push completion back two years.

It’s something the Turnpike Authority discussed in a meeting more than two weeks ago.

“That’s pretty significant. So, how are we messaging this to the public, and how will we be messaging it? ... It almost hurts our credibility,” they said in the meeting.

Channel 9 asked on Friday when officials planned to tell the public and if the contractor is subject to any fines or fees.

“We are meeting with the contractor and investigating ways to shorten any delays. When this review is complete, we will have a more accurate timeline ... We anticipate providing an update to the public in early summer,” a spokesperson for NCDOT said in a statement.

Officials have not said what specific changes to the project are causing the delays.

Construction to begin as part of I-485 express lane project in south Charlotte Construction to begin as part of I-485 express lane project in south Charlotte

Cox Media Group