New Interstate 85 bridge opens to traffic Friday

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Motorists will be using the new Interstate 85 South bridge over the Yadkin River in time for the weekend.

N.C. Department of Transportation Secretary Tony Tata announced that the new bridge will be open to traffic late Friday.

Tata made the announcement from the bridge deck on Thursday.

Crews have begun tearing down the old bridge. It was built in 1955, had four lanes and no shoulders. The demolition is expected to be complete by April.

The new bridges have four lanes in each direction and shoulders for broken down vehicles. Only two lanes are currently open, but once I-85 is widened to four lanes in each direction in the spring, all lanes on the bridges will be opened as well.