Construction To Begin Soon on I-85 North Bridge

UNIVERSITY CITY – Residents who live in University City know that traffic around that area can be quite a mess, especially during rush hour.

The city of Charlotte is hoping to change that, by constructing a new bridge over I-85,just north of the W.T. Harris bridge.

The purpose of the new bridge is to connect the residential and retail space on the east side of 85 to the research park on the west side of the interstate.

A map provided by the city to WCCB shows the bridge going from Glenwater Drive next to the Sam’s Club, across the interstate and into research drive.

The city first awarded the nearly 51 million dollar project in February of this year and plans to start clearing the area for the project on Tuesday.

The city says this will reduce congestion in the area, while others disagree.

“I don’t think it will help out too much, honestly, because they’re building so many apartments and new construction and everything,” said University resident Cedric Chambers. “Honestly, they need to widen out 85. In my opinion, and make that more accessible and easier to travel on. Adding a bridge back here won’t help out much, I don’t think.”

The bridge is expected to be complete by the end of June in 2028.