Construction to begin on I-85

After finalizing an agreement for $10 million in Recovery Act funds with the North Carolina Department of Transportation, the U.S. Department of Transportation gave the go-ahead to begin construction on the I-85/Yadkin River Crossing project located between Greensboro and Charlotte, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced.

The TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) grant, part of the Recovery Act, will be used to widen 3.3 miles of I-85 and replace the narrow, deteriorating I-85 and U.S. 29/70 bridges over the Yadkin River.

“All around the country, the Recovery Act is focusing on transportation projects such as these that have been neglected but are finally getting the attention they deserve,” Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez said.

This section of I-85 is the most direct interstate route between Atlanta and Richmond, Va., carrying a heavy volume of truck traffic. Once the project is completed, there will be a 45% increase in freight and passenger rail speeds in the area.

This project will reduce a significant interstate bottleneck and improve travel for area residents and businesses located in the economically distressed counties of Rowan and Davidson.

The TIGER program is designed to promote innovative, multimodal and multijurisdictional transportation projects that provide significant economic and environmental benefits to an entire metropolitan area, region or the nation.