The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has begun nightly lane closures on Interstate 85 in Gaston County as engineers start a geotechnical investigation for the highway’s future widening. The closures will continue for the next two weeks as crews study soil and structural conditions beneath the roadway.
The investigation is an early step in a massive plan to expand I-85 from six to eight lanes between the U.S. 321 interchange (Exit 17) in Gastonia and the N.C. 273 interchange (Exit 27) in Belmont. The information collected will help design a wider bridge over the South Fork Catawba River, just north of McAdenville.
Starting Sunday night, the right northbound lane near the bridge will close nightly from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., continuing through Thursday morning, depending on contractor progress.
The $1.4 billion project will improve about 10 miles of I-85 and replace several interchanges, highway bridges, and railroad overpasses to accommodate the wider roadway.
Three Project Phases
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Phase 1 (Exits 17–23) – Widening I-85 and improving Cox Road/U.S. 29/74 in Gastonia. Estimated cost: $587.7 million.
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Phase 2 (Exits 23–27) – Widening I-85 and improving the N.C. 7/U.S. 29/74 intersection in Belmont. Estimated cost: $567.8 million.
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Phase 3 – Replacing two Norfolk Southern bridges, one P&N Railroad bridge, and the Groves Street bridge in Lowell. Estimated cost: $240 million.
According to NCDOT’s State Transportation Improvement Program, property acquisition, utility relocation, and construction funding have already been secured for each phase.
The construction phase is projected to begin in winter 2033, following years of design, environmental review, and engineering preparation. Officials say these improvements are essential to accommodate increasing traffic demand and improve regional connectivity across Gaston County.
