Roundabout Project At N.C. 51 And Idlewild Road To Get Underway

CHARLOTTE – The N.C. Department of Transportation has awarded a $1.8 million contract to build a roundabout at the intersection of N.C. 51 and Idlewild Road, bordering the communities of Matthews and Mint Hill. Blythe Construction, Inc. is the lead contractor on the project.

Work can start as early as June 19, and the project will be completed by Sept. 8. To construct the roundabout safely and efficiently, crews will completely close the intersection of N.C. 51 and Idlewild Road beginning Friday, June 23. The closure is scheduled for eight weeks. Businesses at the intersection will still be accessible.

The contractor must have the road back open to traffic in its final pattern by August 18, before school resumes. Additional work can continue under lane closures once the road opens.

The following detours will be posted for motorists:

Idlewild Road from Margaret Wallace Road:

Traffic will be detoured from Idlewild Road to Margaret Wallace Road. Motorists will turn right and follow Margaret Wallace Road to Sam Newell Road, turning left, following to U.S. 74 East. Staying east, motorists will take the ramp to the I-485 Outer Loop and follow to Idlewild Road (exit 49). A left turn will take motorists back toward the road closure, and a right turn will take motorists toward Hemby Bridge.
Idlewild Road from Union County:

Traffic will be detoured from Idlewild Road to the I-485 Outer Loop to Lawyers Road (exit 47). Motorists will exit the interstate and turn left, following Lawyers Road toward Mint Hill. Crossing N.C. 51, motorists will turn left at Lebanon Road, then bear right to Margaret Wallace Road. Drivers can then turn left on Idlewild Road toward the road closure, or turn right toward Harris Boulevard.
N.C. 51 from Mint Hill:

Traveling south on N.C. 51, motorists will turn left on Lawyers Road, following to Interstate 485, taking the exit to the Outer Loop toward Matthews. Motorists will exit to U.S. 74 West (exit 51A) and follow to N.C. 51. A left turn lets motorists continue south on N.C. 51 to Matthews, and a right turn will return traffic toward the road closure.
N.C. 51 from East Independence Blvd:

Traveling north on N.C. 51, motorists will turn right to access U.S. 74 East, following to Interstate 485, taking the Outer Loop toward Mint Hill. Motorists will exit at Lawyers Road (exit 47). At the exit ramp, motorists will turn left, staying on Lawyers Road toward Mint Hill, following to N.C. 51. Motorists can turn right on N.C. 51 to reach I-485, or turn left back toward the road closure.
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