Reopening of busy I-77 ramp near uptown Charlotte pushed back

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Thousands of drivers who take I-77 south from uptown Charlotte every day will have to wait longer to use the ramp from the Brookshire Freeway.

One of Charlotte’s busiest interchanges has been under construction since September.

The ramp was supposed to reopen weeks ago, but because of the weather, it has been delayed until the end of January.

“It did surprise me when it was closed, so I've had to add in 10 -15 minutes extra just to go around it,” a driver said.

For two months, drivers have had to maneuver around to find a detour since the I-77 southbound ramp from I-277 westbound is being worked on.

Transportation officials announced on Sept. 28 that they were closing the ramp while they build a brand-new southbound ramp adjacent to it, which will be part of the I-77 toll lane construction project.

"It's still not convenient, but now I know how to be prepared going in or out,” a driver said.

A spokesperson for Sugar Creek Construction blamed the weather, saying, “Cold temperatures impede us from pouring concrete or placing asphalt,” and “Wet weather impedes us from moving dirt, performing lane closures and pouring concrete.”

The rainy weather affected construction Friday. Channel 9 drove past and saw only a handful of people doing work on the new ramp today.

Officials are warning that a new deadline could be pushed back if there’s more bad weather.

“It’s not easy to be patient but we need to be patient,” a driver said. “It’s a lot of checking my apps before I come in traveling anywhere."

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Cox Media Group