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NCDOT outlines I‑85 widening in Gaston County, warns lengthy rail approvals may delay portions
Summary
NCDOT officials presented a three‑segment widening of I‑85 (I‑eighty‑719) that includes interchange realignments, replacement of multiple rail bridges and use of alternative delivery methods; the department expects Norfolk Southern approvals into 2027 for some rail work.
Cole Gurley, P.E., Deputy Division Engineer, Division 12, North Carolina Department of Transportation, and Michael Penney, P.E., NCDOT alternative delivery project manager, updated the Gaston County Board of Commissioners on March 11 on the I‑85 (I‑eighty‑719) widening project.
"The I‑85 719 project will be delivered in three segments," Gurley said, describing sections B, C and A and noting work will include interchange realignments, bridge replacements and widening at multiple locations between the Catawba River and U.S. 321.
The B section (Catawba River to Exit 23/McAdenville Road) will shift the Belmont‑Mount Holly Road interchange, realign North Main Street, and include surface‑drainage replacement and paving; it will be delivered using design‑build procurement. The C section, which lies within the A limits, will replace three rail bridges and one roadway bridge; the project team awarded that section using contractor‑managed general construction (CMGC). Gurley said the A section (Exit 23/McAdenville Road to Exit 17/US‑321) will replace and realign several bridges, widen inside lanes through a sharp curve to improve safety, and reconstruct ramps and interchanges, with specific work at South Church Street, Cox Road and Doctor M. L. K. Wade Jr. Boulevard.
Why it matters: NCDOT emphasized that rail coordination is the program's critical path. Michael Penney said Norfolk Southern's standard review time is typically about three months per phase and that approvals for the railroad‑related elements are not expected until 2027. "The railroad does take a while to get through their process," Penney said, and noted that some active rail lines will remain in service through phased construction while temporary facilities or yard upgrades are used to support work.
On procurement, Gurley and Penney described the rationale for alternative delivery methods: design‑build compresses design, right‑of‑way acquisition and construction into one procurement to accelerate large complex projects; CMGC engages a contractor during design to refine constructability and pricing and uses an independent engineer to review estimates. Penney said four teams submitted proposals for the design‑build B section and the department expected to review proposals in June with an award in July.
Commissioners asked whether the projects are fully funded and how the public will be informed during construction. Gurley said the projects are funded and NCDOT will assign a public information officer and create a project website and dashboard; the department offered to share regular updates with the county.
Ending: NCDOT staff urged county officials to expect a long lead time on rail coordination and to use the project's public information channels for schedule and detour updates throughout the phased construction.
