GASTON COUNTY, N.C. – The N.C. Department of Transportation is planning a few weeks of lane closures so engineers can begin a geotechnical investigation necessary as part of the future I-85 widening project.
This investigation is performed prior to construction to help engineers learn what lies under the road’s surface. The information collected will be used to help design a wider bridge on I-85 over the South Fork Catawba River, just north of McAdenville.
The right lane of I-85 North near the bridge will close from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., continuing through Thursday morning, depending on the contractor’s progress.
NCDOT awarded a $337 million contract to Lane Construction Corp., over the summer for the first segment of the project, which includes:
- Adding one lane in each direction from N.C. 7 (Exit 23) to N.C. 273 (Exit 27)
- Rehabilitating or replacing this bridge and several others
- Modifications to interchanges to increase traffic mobility and enhance operational movements
This segment of the project is in design with construction likely to begin in summer 2026.
