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Anyone who’s been to Atlanta knows the tall “Spaghetti Junction” highway bridges where I-85 meets there loop on the north side. People often compare Charlotte’s I-77/485 interchange as a smaller version. I remember when it was finished years ago it was said to be the last of its kind for the area because no other 485 interchange was going to be designed in that manner. Well I saw this small tid bit below in the paper that suggests that’s not the case anymore. In the long run this will be good. But that’s going to be a traffic nightmare while they build that thing. At least that's what it was like when they built the other one on the south side.
“…A contract to build an interchange for I-485 and I-85 south of Concord Mills. The DOT recently changed the proposed design from a low-speed, cloverleaf interchange to a high-speed interchange with several layers of bridges. The new design will be similar to the interchange at I-77 and I-485 in south Charlotte…”
Article: $1.3 billion in Charlotte area road projects planned - CharlotteObserver.com (http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/06/03/1475692/13-billion-in-charlotte-area-road.html - broken link)
“…A contract to build an interchange for I-485 and I-85 south of Concord Mills. The DOT recently changed the proposed design from a low-speed, cloverleaf interchange to a high-speed interchange with several layers of bridges. The new design will be similar to the interchange at I-77 and I-485 in south Charlotte…”
Article: $1.3 billion in Charlotte area road projects planned - CharlotteObserver.com (http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/06/03/1475692/13-billion-in-charlotte-area-road.html - broken link)
Whats wrong with how it is now? I realize that this isn't going to come until after they finish the 485 loop, but still several layers of bridges? That seems a bit much for the area. It seems like something needed at the 85/77 interchange. That is where things need to change. The only traffic I ever hit in the morning is trying to get off of 85 and onto 77.
But I do like that they're going to be widening 85 past Concord Mills! Its always backed up there no matter what time of day.
I thought you were talking about the restaurant!!!
Thank you!! I thought I was the only one thinking of an Italian restaurant when I saw this headline. There is one in BVI and it also reminded of The Spaghetti Station.
Back to the OP, if this thing improves traffic I am all for it. There are always pains involved with growth. Ask anyone in the DC area if the Mixing Bowl is better since most of the construction has finished and they will probably tell you "yes".
I would think that a junction life this would be much safer than the clover leaf style. Look at where I-77 crosses I-40, I have no clue how huge accidents do not happen there. You have about 20 feet of high way to go from 25 to 65mph, good luck.
I'm all for it for traffic's sake. It's nice to see some infrastructure going in again, especially with all the new residents. Charlotte has long outgrown the aged highway system in place now.
I am not looking forward to the upcoming contruction. It will be nice once 2015 or 2016 is here. I85 traffic is going to be horrible with its widening. Looks like it will be 1 lane each way starting at Concors Mills Blvd for atleast the first part of construction. Luckily, there will be a couple ways to avoid it but traffic is still going to be bad.
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