Zachry Construction Selected for North Carolina Bridge Job
The state has tapped the contractor for a six-lane bridge replacement aimed at improving regional traffic flow.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Construction
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The North Carolina Department of Transportation has named Zachry Construction Corporation as the prime contractor for a major bridge replacement project over the Catawba River. The project is designed to boost regional mobility between Gaston and Mecklenburg counties.
Why it matters
This infrastructure upgrade seeks to resolve existing traffic capacity constraints while providing critical emergency diversion capacity for Interstate 85. Enhancing these transportation links is a key strategic priority for maintaining regional commercial throughput.
Zachry Construction Corporation has completed 350 bridges over the last decade as part of a portfolio comprising 6,000 large-scale projects. The new bridge replacement will expand capacity to six lanes upon its planned completion.
The players
North Carolina Department of Transportation
The state agency responsible for the planning, construction, and maintenance of North Carolina's multi-modal transportation network.
Zachry Construction Corporation
A subsidiary of Zachry Corporation that specializes in large-scale infrastructure and industrial construction delivery.
The details
The project encompasses comprehensive civil work including grading, drainage, paving, and signal installation. The structural design features drilled piers, steel piles, and prestressed concrete girders topped with a reinforced concrete deck. Crews must also manage ongoing traffic control and utility adjustments throughout the multi-year construction period.
Timeline
September 2026: Construction began on the bridge replacement project.
October 6, 2026: The North Carolina Department of Transportation announced the contractor selection.
April 2031: Substantial completion of the project is planned.
Market Landscape
This project follows a pattern of state-led infrastructure upgrades supported by long-term federal and state funding initiatives. It mirrors national trends focused on expanding arterial capacity to handle rising regional freight and commuter demand.
Operators in Gaston and Mecklenburg counties should account for long-term traffic pattern shifts and potential supply chain disruptions near the Catawba River. Businesses reliant on I-85 logistics should monitor quarterly project updates for expected diversion capacity milestones.
The takeaway
Large-scale infrastructure projects require years of operational planning to navigate site-specific constraints like utility work and traffic control. Operators should track regional bridge completion dates to update their own logistics and fleet routing strategies through 2031.
Further reading
For more on state-led development projects, see Construction.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Manila times.
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