NC DOT Kicks Off Major Interstate Lane Marking Project Near Charlotte

Work started recently on fresh road markings spanning 24 miles of I-40 and I-85 west of Charlotte. NC transportation crews are putting down hot-spray thermoplastic stripes that boost nighttime visibility, according to NCDOT.

TRP Construction teams began work in Catawba County, marking I-40 from the County Home Road bridge in Conover to Burke County's border. Their machines inch forward, carefully laying down the bright new markers.

Unlike standard paint, these stripes reflect light better when it's dark. They also stick to the road much longer. State officials picked this material to make driving safer.

After wrapping up in Catawba, workers will shift to I-85 in Gaston County. They'll mark the stretch starting at Mecklenburg's border up to Mile 13.8 near Bessemer City.

Night shifts last from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Workers block off one lane at a time to stay safe while marking. Bad weather could stretch the job past its planned few weeks.

The timing fits well - Hurricane Helene pounded state roads just last year. Seven southeastern states got federal cash to fix the mess from September 2024's storms.

By working nights, crews dodge rush hour traffic jams. Signs warn drivers to cut their speed and stay alert near the work zones.

This switch to tougher materials fits North Carolina's push for stronger roads. The state picked thermoplastic since it lasts - proving they want fixes that stand up to time and weather.