CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A Charlotte-based construction company has been awarded a $6.3 million contract to make improvements on a 13-mile section of I-85.

The contract was awarded to Blythe Construction Inc., according to a release from the North Carolina Department of Transportation. Work will be done on a section of I-85 between the U.S. 29/N.C. 49 connector and N.C. 73 spanning Mecklenburg and Cabarrus counties.

Officials say the project will consist of repair and seal work on existing concrete pavement joints, shoulder repairs, and replacement of all pavement markings and markers between the U.S. 29/N.C. 49 connector and Mallard Creek Church Road.

Newer sections of the concrete highway between Mallard Creek Church Road and N.C. 73 will also have snow plowable markers installed.

Additional work will include improvements to the ramps at the University City Boulevard, Harris Boulevard, and Mallard Creek Church Road interchanges as well as a new deck overlay to be installed on the bridge over Mallard Creek. 

Work is currently scheduled to begin as soon as April 27 and should be completed by June 15, 2021.