Travelers and residents in Huntersville will experience changes to traffic patterns this week as the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) finalizes the transformation of the Interstate 77 Gilead Road interchange into a diverging diamond layout. According to The Charlotte Observer, the current roadwork, beginning Thursday night, will continue through the weekend with a scheduled completion date set for early Monday morning.

As reported by WBTV, the initial phase will see the prohibition of left turns at the intersection of U.S. 21 at Gilead Road starting 9 p.m. Thursday. Drivers desiring to turn left will be rerouted to a U-turn bulb instead. To take up the slack in the closure, late Sunday night or early Monday morning all roads are expected to reopen.

Focusing on improved safety and smoother traffic flow, the $30.8 million project will require Gilead Road between Reese Boulevard and U.S. 21 to be closed from 9 p.m. Friday. This closure will be in effect to facilitate the painting of befitting stripes, lane markings and placement of road markers that align with the diverging diamond pattern, as QC News detailed.

With the new interchange operational by 6 a.m. Monday, drivers should anticipate the need for extra time to acclimate to the modified traffic pattern. The NCDOT ensures, according to studies mentioned in QC News, that such interchanges have attained a reduction in crashes by an average of 37 percent post-construction. In order to reduce the potential for delays, officers will be stationed strategically to help manage the flow of traffic during this period.

Looking ahead, further improvements are on the horizon for this area. A separate NCDOT project will see the widening of U.S. 21 from Gilead Road to Holly Point Drive, with right-of-way acquisitions projected to start in 2028. This initiative is expected to enhance connectivity and handle increased vehicular volume spurred by Huntersville’s growth.