Final push is on to finish I-85 and I-485 construction

Mar 24, 2014 | Events, Uncategorized

I-485 turbine interchange at I-85

Aerial shot of turbine interchange at I-85 and I-485 in mid-March 2014

Our two big interstate road projects are finally coming to completion! State engineers say they will finish widening I-85 through Cabarrus County in April. The last leg of I-485 and the I-85/I-485 interchange should open in December.

Road planners and taxpayers should ooh and ah over the state’s first “turbine” interchange at I-485 and I-85 – built at a $50 million savings vs. traditional designs. The design’s so special, it even has its own movie on YouTube!

 

See the future via YouTube

The computer-generated simulation lets viewers “fly” over the spiraling 19-bridge interchange or ride with traffic down one of its through lanes. Not only is this new design a third cheaper than in the past, it also will cost less to maintain yet take up no additional space, its designers say.

The 5.7-mile-long stretch of I-485 through University City has already transformed our surface road network. The most dramatic changes focus on the Prosperity Church Road interchanges and realigned Johnston-Oehler Road, which parallels I-485 between Prosperity Church Road and Mallard Creek Road.

 

Overhauling farm-to-market roads

One of the last expanses of old rural Mallard Creek vanished two years ago as earth-movers started clearing the path for I-485. Johnston-Oehler Road is being realigned to take out some curves, add two new roads over the outer-belt road (with roundabouts, no less!) and add shade trees, sidewalks and bike lanes to the old farm-to-market roadway.

Some of the changes are linked to the radical interchange design taking shape around Prosperity Church Road. Back in the 1990s, Charlotte-Mecklenburg planners convinced the state to accept a novel land-use plan built around turning one exit – at Prosperity Church Road – into a cluster of exits onto three parallel streets. The idea was to diffuse traffic through new-urban villages on both sides of I-485.

Several pieces, including short roads seemingly to nowhere, have been in place for a decade (I-485 was originally scheduled to open here in 2002, after all). The finished network will have six roundabouts and two new service roads along I-485.

Did we mention that I-485 through University City will have eight lanes, vs. four lanes in the traffic-clogged part of I-85 in southeast Mecklenburg? Going last can have its benefits.

 

Project updates and plans

  • I-485 plans at NC Department of Transportation >> GO
  • I-85 and I-485 updates on the NC DOT Facebook page >> GO
  • View plans for Prosperity Villages >> GO
  • View plans for realigned Johnston-Oehler Road >> GO
  • Watch the turbine-interchange video >> GO
  • Take a simulated drive down I-485 >> GO

 

0 Comments


Receive Up to Date News


Receive Economic Development News


View Past Newsletters


View Post by Category


Press Releases

UCP Annual Report: Mobilizing the New Urban Center

2015 has been exceptional for University City and University City Partners, as our fresh-off-the-digital presses “2015 Annual Report” makes clear with exclamation marks! The report chronicles the opening of I-485, rapid progress on the LYNX light-rail line, strong...

UCP welcomes four new board members

University City Partners welcomes four new members to our Board of Directors: Shannon Dixon of Casto, Leslie Johnson of Mecklenburg County, Bobby Shields of Shielb PLLC, and Ryan Wetherington of Allen Tate. Each new member brings unique skills that will advance the...

Say hi to our new UNC Charlotte interns

University City Partners welcomes two very needed extra sets of hands – interns Abby Armstrong and Luis Martinez from UNC Charlotte. Abby, a senior marketing major, will help us share the news about UCP. Luis, a sophomore, hopes to gain insights into planning and...

UCP’s 2014 Annual Report captures our breakout year

What an amazing year! With light rail under construction, University City’s stretch of I-485 set to open next spring, dramatic jobs growth and resurgence in our neighborhoods, University City is being transformed. Our new 2014 Annual Report (CLICK to view or download)...

EPRI in University City wins the Jerry Award!

Congratulations to the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) for being one of two winners of the Charlotte Regional Partnership’s annual Jerry Awards for their contribution to the regional economy! From the Jerry awards: "The Electric Power Research Institute...

Fast growing Yodle comes to URP Cambridge Center

Online ad and marketing company targets small business If you haven’t heard the name Yodle until now, get used to it. One of the fastest growing advertising and marketing companies in the U.S. recently moved its 120-employee Charlotte operation into the Cambridge...

Run like Rudolph through the University Research Park

Fun 5K/10K on Saturday will benefit Brain Tumor Fund for the Carolinas You can win three ways at the inaugural Run Run Rudolph 5K/10K race this Saturday in University Research Park: Finish first in either race OR win the crowd’s loudest applause as “best seasonally...

University City Partners Welcomes a New Executive Director

After working with us for ten years, our founding Executive Director, Mary Hopper, decided to leave University City Partners (UCP). In her time with us, Mary was completely devoted to supporting our focus on enhancing the economic vitality of University City. UCP has...