Travel is going to change soon for thousands of motorists who drive through Davidson and Rowan counties on I-85. And, this change is good.
I signed a $136 million contract today authorizing a team from Flatiron Constructors Inc. and The Lane Construction Corp. to replace the Yadkin River bridge. Design work is under way right now, and construction is set to begin in October.
The bridge was built in 1955 and cannot effectively handle the 60,000 vehicles per day that rely on it to cross the river. It is too narrow, and when an accident occurs, traffic backs up for miles, which makes it difficult for emergency crews to get to the scene to help. Replacing it will greatly improve safety and reduce congestion.
This is the first of two phases that will upgrade the nearly seven mile corridor. We are working to find the money to pay for phase two, which will widen about three-and-a-half miles of I-85 to just north of I-85 Business.
In her budget, Gov. Perdue proposes establishing the N.C. Mobility Fund to pay for expensive projects of statewide significance. The first project that would be paid for from this fund would be widening I-85.
Improving this stretch of I-85 is a top priority for the state because of its importance to regional and statewide mobility, as well as interstate commerce. Replacing the Yadkin River bridges – the most critical safety need – is a tremendous milestone for us.