South Charlotte drivers can expect to use the long-awaited I-485 toll lanes this winter, nearly five years after construction began.

The $346 million project, which started in 2019, adds express lanes and general-purpose lanes aimed at reducing traffic and improving travel times.

The I-485 lanes stem from the 2007 Fast Lane Study, which identified highways most in need of congestion relief.

Once complete, the project will feature one express lane in each direction between I-77 and Independence Boulevard, plus a new general-purpose lane between Rea Road and Providence Road in the Ballantyne and Waverly/Rea Farms areas.

Drivers will also gain direct access to the express lanes from new interchanges at Westinghouse Boulevard and Johnston Road.

Additional improvements include:

• Ballantyne Commons bridge widening, set for completion by mid-spring

• Weddington Road widening, expected by late summer or early fall

• John Street widening, planned for fall to improve traffic flow at nearby ramps

Originally budgeted at $289.5 million, costs have climbed due to added scope and pandemic-related delays, including labor shortages and supply chain issues.

This becomes Charlotte’s third major toll project, following the I-77 toll lanes to Lake Norman and the toll lanes on the new Monroe Expressway.

The City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County continue to make significant progress on their 26-mile Cross Charlotte Trail (XCLT) – a trail that will soon stretch all the way from South Carolina, through Pineville and Uptown Charlotte, then up to UNCC until it hits the Cabarrus County line in Harrisburg.

Once completed, XCLT will officially be the longest paved biking trail in North Carolina – you’ll be able to ride seamlessly from one end of Mecklenburg County to the other. The longest current trail is the American Tobacco Trail extending 22 miles from Durham to down to Wake County.

As Charlotte’s restaurant selection continues to grow, many establishments are scrambling to attract customers and really letting their health standards slide in the process.

Some of the most common reasons for low scores were food handlers not washing their hands properly, contaminated food containers, and improper food temperatures (many restaurants are still lacking proper infrared thermometers).

These were the worst inspection scores in Charlotte for April, 2025;

#10 Thomas Street Tavern

1218 THOMAS AVE., CHARLOTTE NC 28205
Scored 88.5 (B) on 4/8/2025

They had the following violations;

• Observed raw chicken stored over raw potatoes.
• Observed three comp sink dispensing 0 ppm quat sanitizer.
• Observed deli slicer with debris and residue.
• Observed TCS items holding above 41F in bottom of tall RIC for unknown amount of time.
• Observed multiple items that require date marking (collards, pinto beans, deli meat, pizza sauce) with no date marking that were prepared days prior.
• Observed tuna and salmon thawing without being removed from sealed ROP packaging.
• Observed salt pepper mix, liquid and dry spice mixes without labels.
• Observed large buckets of food, and containers of raw proteins stored in direct contact with the floor.
• Observed some containers stacked clean “wet nesting”.
• Observed rusted shelves throughout facility.

#9 Zafran Kabab Palace

230 E W T HARRIS BV, CHARLOTTE NC 28262
Scored 88 (B) on 4/10/2025

They had the following violations;

• Observed open employee drinks on prep table in back of kitchen during food prep.
• Observed food employee fill a container from the hand sink in kitchen area.
• Dish machine not registering sanitizing strength at time of inspection.
• Observed chicken leg quarters that were cooked to a temp of 155 F (must be at least 165 F). Facility does not have a variance for non-continuous cooking.
• Observed items (tofu, curry chicken and boneless chicken) that were held in prep cooler above 41 F.
• Observed containers of sugar and salt that were not labeled.
• Observed cooked chicken on skewers stored closer than six inches to hand sink with no barrier.
• Observed bags of onions stored on floor in back of kitchen.

#8 Zodiac Bar & Grill  

200 W WOODLAWN RD, CHARLOTTE NC 28217
Scored 87.5 (B) on 4/3/2025

They had the following violations;

• PIC was front-of-house manager. PIC could not provide EHS with employee health, food borne illnesses, and was unaware of the proper corrective action for some priority items when EHS asked how these items are processed and how facility makes corrections.
• No CFPM present at the time of the inspection.
• PIC could not provide written vomit and diarrheal clean-up procedures.
• Observed food employees wash hands breading raw salmon and raw shrimp.
• Observed raw salmon, raw shrimp, and raw steak stored above RTE chicken breast and RTE Chicken wings inside the 2-door RIC.
• Observed pans, strainer utensil, and cup stored as clean with food debris present on the food contact surface.
• Observed dark mold-like build-up on the interior surface of the ice machine.
• Observed chicken wings placed inside the RIC to cool at 3:30PM, Wings observed at 80F at 7:30 PM. Missing 2 hour 135F to 70F cooling window.
• Observed cooked chicken wings and chopped lettuce miss cooling windows. Lettuce on ice bath was observed having a 0F decrease in temperature in 1 hour time span.

#7 Biryani Nation

14027 CONLAN CIR, CHARLOTTE NC 28277
Scored 87.5 (B) on 4/3/2025

They had the following violations;

• Observed new staff not trained to recognize symptoms or illnesses requiring exclusion from food handling tasks.
• Observed employee using cell phone and then resuming food preparation.
• Observed several dishes with sticker residue remaining which were stored as clean.
• Observed shredded cheese in lowboy at 49F. Lowboy ambient temperature observed at 38F, not in poor repair.
• Observed several items in fliptop and lowboy without date mark.
• Observed only thick probe thermometer onsite.
• Observed unlabeled spices at cook line.
• Observed cooked shrimp in water inside lowboy.
• Observed PIC with multiple gemstone rings.
• Observed damaged floors and walls throughout facility.

#6 Tryon House

215 E EXMORE ST, CHARLOTTE NC 28217
Scored 87 (B) on 4/23/2025

They had the following violations;

• Observed several risk factor violations during inspection.
• Observed food employee and PIC wash hands for less than 20 seconds.
• Observed food employee wash hands without using any hand soap.
• Observed food employee handle raw shelled eggs and return to handle RTE ham without washing hands.
• Observed food employee wash hands in prep sink.
• Observed food employee handle RTE chicken with bare hands.
• Observed PIC handle sliced cheese with bare hands.
• Observed raw sausage stored over RTE sausage, ham, and cheese in WIC.
• Observed raw chicken stored over raw pork in lowboy.
• Observed unwashed cabbage stored over RTE slaw and potato salad.
• Observed unwashed tomatoes stored over RTE bread, feta cheese, and onions.
• Observed food employee handle raw eggs and return to handle RTE items without discarding gloves and washing hands.
• Observed food debris on slicer and knives stored as clean.
• Observed mashed potatoes, turkey, rice and yams HH below 135F at steam tables and steam cabinets.
• Observed items in prep unit and WIC above 41F.
• Observed items being held on ice above 41F.
• Observed fresh garlic in oil mixture being held on line out of temperature control at 81F. Refer to temperature chart.
• Observed ambient air of prep unit at 47F.

#5 Harris Food Mart

8400 OLD STATESVILLE RD, CHARLOTTE, NC 28269
Scored 86 (B) on 4/24/2025

They had the following violations;

• Observed facility having 8 priority violation and PIC unable to correctly answer questions related to the operation of the food establishment.
• Observed employee fail to wash hands before donning gloves to work with pizza.
• Observed employee fail to wash hands before preparing fried chicken in Togo box after working with customers behind cash register.
• Observed bell peppers with black buildup and white buildup stored in standing RIC by grill.
• Observed raw shell eggs stored over RTE food in WIC.
• Observed raw chicken stored over raw shelled eggs in WIC.
• Observed PIC using hand sanitizer on a paper towel to clean thermometer.
• Observed sausages egg and cheese breakfast sandwiches below 135 under heat lamp.
• Observed no date marked on liver mush out of original packaging in WIC.
• Observed bologna opened in standing RIC without a date stored between unopened packages of bologna.
• Observed spray bottle with purple liquid inside stored at 3-comp.

#4 Great Wall of China South

6666 CARMEL RD, CHARLOTTE NC 28226
Scored 86 (B) on 4/29/2025

They had the following violations;

• Observed that the PIC is unable to perform proper cooling methods, time/temperature for safety foods are not being held at proper temperatures.
• Observed that food employees were unaware of employee health policies and PIC stated that employees have not had a health training in years.
• Observed cooked chicken, fried chicken, raw chicken, and cooked noddles that were cooling from Monday and Sunday night that did not meet cooling parameters.
• Observed multiple container of raw chicken that were prepped Sunday and had not cooled within parameters.
• Observed cut cabbage mix, cut cabbage, cut Napa cabbage, roast pork, and cooked shrimp in grill prep unit and raw beef and raw chicken in the grill prep lowboy holding temperatures above 41F.
• Observed no date mark on cooked ribs in the walk in cooler.
• Observed no date marks cooked pork, cut cabbage in prep units, and in walk in coolers.
• Observed chicken being held on TPHC without a time label.
• Observed dish washing soap stored in a mushroom can.
• Observed products that missed the cooling window in large deep pans, covered with plastic wrap. EHS provided education on proper cooling methods.

#3 Mariscos Nayarit 

6023 ALBEMARLE RD, CHARLOTTE NC 28212
Scored 85.5 (B) on 4/4/2025

They had the following violations;

• Observed violations during inspection such as handwashing, cold holding temperatures, and utensils not sanitized after cleaning.
• Observed food employee handle soiled dishes then proceed to handle clean dishes without washing hands.
• Observed food employee handling bread with bare hands.
• Observed food employee washing cilantro in hand sink.
• Observed raw chicken being stored above cooked octopus inside walk in cooler.
• Observed dish machine at 10ppm chlorine after running multiple cycles.
• Observed food employee wash/rinse metal pan then use pan for food items without sanitizing.
• Observed items in prep top/unit 3 above 41F. Ambient air of unit was 52F.
• Observed adobo sauce containing tomatoes sitting out on counter above 41F.

#2 AMF University Lanes

5900 N TRYON ST, CHARLOTTE NC 28213
Scored 83.5 (B) on 4/2/2025

They had the following violations;

• Observed employee handle cash register and then proceed to prepare food. Also observed employee leave kitchen and return with out washing her hands.
• Observed food dumped in the back handwashing sink.
• Observed facility Quat sanitizer dispenser does not work.
• Observed bags of shredded mozzarella cheese above 41F in the pizza prep top unit.
• Observed egg patties, sausage patties, and shredded cheese in the lowboy cooler not date marked.
• Observed 2 spray bottles of cleaner not labeled.
• Observed facility does not have a thermometer.
• Observed multiple dead bugs throughout facility.
• Observed back Reach in freezer at 60F and Reach in cooler at 53F. Observed gaskets throughout (reach in freezer, cooler, lowboy cooler) facility cracking and becoming detached from doors.
• Observed floors throughout with large amount of debris and grease buildup

#1 Eastway Express

1500 EASTWAY DR, CHARLOTTE NC 28205
Scored 78 (C) on 4/22/2025

They had the following violations;

• Observed PIC has consistently not been able to ensure that the rules food code safety and handling are met during the last 3 inspections.
• Observed open employee drink on top of prep table.
• Observed no paper towels at the back handwashing sink.
• Observed back side of the shield in the of ice machine with buildup.
• Observed a breakfast sandwiches in the small HH case at 110F. PIC stated they were made around 8 am this morning.
• Observed multiple tcs foods in the Lowboy cooler above 41F.
• Observed sausage link, sausage patties, bologna, and open milk in the lowboy cooler without a date mark.
• Observed 2 boxes of raw chicken not 6 inches off the floor in the WIC. Boxes were on a sheet pan that was directly on the floor.
• Observed clean metal pans being stacked wet.
• Observed single service cups directly on the floor in the back near the WIC door.
• Observed the handwashing sink near back prep sink leaking at the pipes.
• Observed no covered trash in the unisex restroom. The other rest room is out of order.
• Observed rust on wall near prep sink with pealing paint.
• Observed employee cell phone, cigarettes, lotion, ear buds, and rubbing alcohol on prep table behind the small HH case.

If you’d like to monitor health scores or do a quick search for a restaurant you’re about to eat at, check out North Carolina’s health inspection database here.

In the 15 months since Mecklenburg County selected Troon to operate its four Charlotte-area golf courses, under a potential 20-year agreement, the partnership is already a win-win for the community. Capital investments made by the County and Troon to improve course conditions, clubhouse and practice facilities, maintenance equipment, golf carts, service levels and marketing, have resulted in rounds increasing by an average of 12.4 percent (over 2023), revenues increasing by an average of 22.6 percent (over 2023).

In addition, Troon recently made a $128,151 donation to the First Tee of Greater Charlotte for the 501(c)3 to fund programming for kids and teens as provided for in the agreement.

In January 2024, Troon in partnership with the First Tee of Greater Charlotte was selected to operate the four Mecklenburg County courses, including Charles T. Myers Golf Course, Harry L. Jones Golf Course, Sunset Hills Golf Course, and Dr. Charles L. Sifford Golf Course for up to 20 years, including renewal options. The First Tee made an initial contribution of $250,000 to improve the practice areas at the four facilities, in return for First Tee students to have free access to practice areas, rounds of golf and opportunities to gain work experience in the areas of golf operations, food and beverage, marketing, and science/agronomy. Upon engagement, Troon’s sales and marketing team launched new branding for the county courses, designed new course logos, debuted new user-friendly websites, created a new “Meck” County Golf app, began new email marketing and social media strategies, as well as other new marketing programs.

As part of the partnership agreement with First Tee, Troon and its Indigo Sports division committed to donating up to two percent of gross revenues from the four courses annually to fund programming and scholarships for the First Tee of Greater Charlotte – the recent $128,151 donation marked the first annual payment. The agreement also calls for Troon to pay Mecklenburg County a combination of base rent and percentage rent annually with the County committed to reinvesting all rent payments back into the golf facilities as capital improvements.

Over the past 15 months Mecklenburg County has invested more than $1.8 million on capital improvements at the four golf facilities, including:

• Bunker renovations
• Cart path improvements and renovations
• Irrigation system improvements
• New landscaping around clubhouses and exterior upgrades such as paint
• Improved lighting, new air conditioning units and new energy-efficient doors at the four clubhouses

Troon has also invested in the four golf facilities, providing:

• New maintenance equipment
• New golf carts, beverage carts and utility vehicles
• New furniture, fixtures and displays in the golf shops
• New tables, chairs, televisions and equipment in the food and beverage areas
• Enhanced golf merchandise as well as food and beverage selections and experiences

“We’re thrilled with the strides we’ve made for Mecklenburg County Golf in a relatively short time,” said Mecklenburg County Golf Regional General Manager Josh Anderson, PGA. “The courses are better conditioned, services levels have improved, and more people are enjoying their experiences at our golf courses. We have a lot more improvements planned for 2025 and beyond including a Callaway Fitting Center at CT Myers, a practice range tee expansion and new putting green at Sunset Hills, continued irrigation upgrades and cart path improvements at Harry L. Jones and CT Myers, and resodding/tee box leveling projects at Dr. Charles L. Sifford and Harry L. Jones. For those who haven’t played the Mecklenburg County golf courses in a while, they’ll be impressed with the improvements the County-Troon-First Tee partnership has produced.”

With more than 150 municipal courses, Troon is the largest operator of municipal golf facilities in the U.S., with relationships structured as management agreements, lease agreements or a combination of both depending on the needs of the municipality. Troon, the world’s largest golf and golf-related hospitality management company and biggest employer of PGA professionals, also provides consulting services to municipal golf courses on operations, marketing, agronomy, customer service, community engagement, capital projects and more. Troon-affiliated facilities are home to 40-plus First Tee Chapters across the country.

For more information on Mecklenburg County Golf, visit https://meckcountygolf.com.

A small town just east of Charlotte is about to host a rare ‘passport fair’ as the clock ticks down on the deadline for Real ID requirements.

The U.S. Department of State announced the event as part of its monthly nationwide initiative to help new travelers apply in person. The event will take place at the Stanfield Post Office (about 30 min East of Charlotte), on Saturday, May 3 from 12 pm to 4 pm. No appointments are required, allowing walk-in applicants to stop by at any time during the event.

These fairs are rare in North Carolina and are only open to individuals who have never held a U.S. passport. Renewals must be completed online or by mail.

The event comes just days before the federal REAL ID Act goes into effect on May 7. Both passport books and passport cards are REAL ID compliant.

Applicants must bring a completed passport application form and original proof of U.S. citizenship with a photocopy. Acceptable documents include a birth certificate, a certificate of naturalization, or a certificate of citizenship.

A valid physical photo ID with a photocopy is also required, along with a color passport photo taken within the last six months.

Fees include $130 for a passport book ($100 for children under 16) and $30 for a passport card ($15 for children under 16). A separate $35 execution fee also applies.

For updates or future events, you can visit travel.state.gov.