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North Carolina DOT selected Lane Construction to widen I-85 from six to eight lanes over a four-mile stretch in the Charlotte area, according to a July 11 news release from the agency. 

The goal of the project is to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion along the stretch of interstate between N.C. 7 in Mount Holly and N.C. 273 at the west approach of the Catawba River in Belmont, per the release. Historically, I-85 through Charlotte has been in the top 30 most deadly roads in the country, according to Queen City News.

Charlotte-based Lane Construction’s scope of work includes:

• Adding a new lane in each direction with a 26-foot median.
• Replacing or rehabilitating six bridges.
• Modifying the intersection of N.C. 7/U.S. 29/U.S. 74 to improve safety and traffic flow.
• Rebuilding 4,000 linear feet of railroad for Piedmont and Northern Railway.
• Additional interchange modifications to increase traffic mobility.

The project will be delivered using the design-build method, according to the North Carolina DOT. Design work is currently underway, and construction is slated to start in summer 2026.

It is the first of three of the agency’s projects totaling $635 million to add capacity and other improvements along a 10-mile stretch of the I-85 corridor. North Carolina DOT plans to advertise for bids on the segment from McAdenville Road exit 23 to the U.S. 321 interchange exit 17 in late 2028, according to The Charlotte Observer.