Flyover bridge at Concord Mills opens in time for Black Friday

CONCORD, N.C. — The flyover bridge by Concord Mills Mall opened to traffic Wednesday afternoon, the NC Department of Transportation said.

The $10.2 million contract for the two-lane flyover bridge was awarded in January 2018. The bridge was built to alleviate traffic coming to and from Concord Mills and will open just in time for Black Friday.

A Channel 9 crew drove over the bridge and recorded video for everyone not brave enough to venture out to Concord Mills over Thanksgiving and Black Friday weekend.

Channel 9 has covered the traffic concerns near Concord Mills over the years. On Black Friday in 2019, we talked to frustrated drivers who were stuck for five hours in traffic in the parking lot.

“It’s like a parking lot. I mean, terrible,” said Kater Corwell.

Corwell told Channel 9 he was only able to move a few yards in four hours while trying to leave the mall.

Concord police later stationed themselves in over several intersections in the area to help alleviate traffic woes.

NCDOT officials said the two-lane bridge connects Concord Mills Boulevard to Kings Grant Pavilion, the first main entrance to the mall from Interstate 85. The bridge replaces the original left turn lanes into the mall complex to improve traffic flow on Concord Mills Boulevard.

The bridge is only for inbound traffic. If you’re trying to leave the mall, you’ll have to use the main entrance back to Concord Mills Boulevard.

After the bridge opens, the contractor will have other tasks to complete including cleanup, signal and pavement work. The entire project should complete in spring 2022.

Officials originally expected the bridge to be open to traffic in the fall of 2020 and fully completed in summer 2021.

Drivers are encouraged to use caution and leave extra time to get used to the new traffic pattern.

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