NCDOT awards $337 million contract to widen I-85 in Gaston County; first phase of major corridor expansion

North Carolina Construction News staff writer

The N.C. Department of Transportation has awarded a $337 million contract to Lane Construction Corp. for improvements along four miles of Interstate 85 between N.C. 7 (exit 23) in Mount Holly and N.C. 273 (exit 27) at the west approach of the Catawba River in Belmont. This is the first of three projects to add capacity and other improvements along the interstate.

Work includes:​

• One lane will be added in each direction, widening the interstate from six to eight lanes with a 26-foot median
• The intersection of N.C. 7/U.S. 29/U.S. 74 (Wilkinson Boulevard) will be altered to a modified reduced conflict intersection to improve safety and traffic flow
• Interchange modifications like new bridges at exits 23 and 27 will enhance operational improvements and increase traffic mobility
• 4,000 linear feet of railroad will be rebuilt for Piedmont and Northern Railway

The following bridges will either be replaced or rehabilitated during construction:

• N.C. 7 over I-85
• I-85 over South Fork Catawba River
• Hickory Grove Road over I-85
• Belmont-Mt. Holly Road/Main Street over I-85
• P&R Railway over I-85, east of Belmont-Mt. Holly Road
• N.C. 273 over I-85

Construction be completed using the design-build method where NCDOT combines construction and preconstruction services into one contract. Design work is currently underway with construction likely starting in summer 2026.

Several projects are in development to add capacity and make other improvements along the I-85 corridor:

• The “A” section proposes to widen I-85 from McAdenville Road (exit 23) to the U.S. 321 interchange (exit 17) with intersection improvements at Cox Road and U.S. 29-74/Franklin Boulevard. This segment will be advertised for bids in late 2028.

• The “C” section is in design. A contractor and designer are working on plans for three railroad bridges and one roadway bridge throughout Section “A.” Railroad coordination, design and permitting takes time, so these structures have been separated.