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Project Profile: I-485 Charlotte Loop

I-485 Charlotte Outer Loop

photo credit: NCDOT Communications

Location

Charlotte, North Carolina

Project Borrower / Sponsor

North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT)

Program Areas Alternative Project DeliveryProject Finance
Mode

Highway

Description

This project constructed a new 5.7-mile, eight-lane section of Interstate from west of NC 115 (Old Statesville Rd.) to west of I-85 north of Charlotte. This is the last segment of the I-485 Outer Loop around Charlotte, linking I-77 to I-85. The project also included interchange improvements, service road realignment, and bridge construction. Related but separate projects in the completion of the I-485 Outer Loop include the widening of seven miles of I-85 from four to eight lanes, widening the southern section of I-485 from four to six lanes between I-77 and Rea Road, and the upgrade of the interchange between I-485 and I-85.

Cost

$139.5 million

Funding Sources

GARVEE bonds, State Transportation Trust Fund disbursements, contractor financing to be repaid by future General Assembly appropriations based on an availability payment schedule conveyed in the contract.

Project Delivery / Contract Method

DBF (design-build-finance)

Private Partner

Blythe Construction Inc./Wilbur Smith Associates (now CDM Smith)

Project Advisors / Consultants

Not available

Lenders

None

Duration / Status

Construction began summer 2011

Construction completed spring 2015

Financial Status

Closed. Under this DBF contract, the design-builder completed construction over 4.5 years while agreeing to an "extended payment schedule" of 5.5 years.

Innovations
  • North Carolina's first DBF project was estimated to accelerate project delivery by five years.
Contacts

Louis Mitchell, PE
Division Engineer
Tel: (704) 983-4400

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