HUNTERSVILLE – This weekend, N.C. Department of Transportation contract crews will close the entrance ramp from Gilead Road to I-77 North as part of a $30.8 million project to convert the existing interchange to a diverging diamond interchange.
The ramp closure is scheduled from 6 p.m. Saturday until 9 a.m. Sunday, allowing workers to safely install pipe in the area. Drivers can continue north on Statesville Road to N.C. 73 to access I-77.
The diverging diamond design allows two directions of traffic to temporarily cross to the left side of the road, providing easier access to the interstate. The project also includes a new bridge to handle eastbound traffic over I-77, with the existing bridge serving westbound drivers.
In addition, a section of U.S. 21 will be widened from two to four lanes on either side of Gilead Road to accommodate a reduced conflict intersection design, a type of intersection that redirects side-street traffic from going straight or left at a divided highway intersection.
For real-time travel information, visit DriveNC.gov or follow NCDOT on social media.