GASTONIA, NC — The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has awarded a $337 million contract to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion along 4 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.
The Lane Construction Corp. has earned the project, which includes various improvements:
- 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; and N.C. 273 over I-85.
This project will be delivered 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.
