Charlotte contractor begins $16.5M U.S. 21 bridge replacement over I-77 in Yadkin County

The North Carolina Department of Transportation has contracted Blythe Construction Inc., a Charlotte-based company, to replace the U.S. 21 bridge over Interstate 77 in Yadkin County.

The current bridge is 62 years old, and the project includes building a new bridge adjacent to the existing one, relocating water and sewer lines, and constructing a new culvert for a small creek under U.S. 21.

Construction began with site clearing and erosion control installation. After the bridge is completed, the ramps between I-77 and U.S. 21 will be reconstructed as part of the $16.5 million contract.

The work is expected to take about three years, with completion targeted for summer 2029. Lane closures on I-77 will only occur during nighttime hours, and no lane closures are allowed on U.S. 21 during morning rush hour, according to NCDOT.

Travelers can find real-time updates on the project at DriveNC.gov or via NCDOT's social media channels.