TRAFFIC HEADACHE: Construction zone on I-77, serious crashes

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. — Traffic comes to a standstill on southbound Interstate 77 near the construction zone near Huntersville nearly every morning.

Channel 9 has reported on "Eyewitness News Daybreak" on crashes that cause major delays for commuters.

Anchor John Paul started investigating after receiving multiple alerts on his phone about I-77 crashes through the WSOC-TV news app.

Since the beginning of March, Channel 9 has sent out seven push alerts about crashes on I-77 -- including one Friday morning -- all during the morning commute.

“It’s ridiculous,” driver Pamela Fromer said. “I avoid it at all costs.”

Channel 9 asked state troopers about the number of crashes on that stretch of highway.

The North Carolina Highway Patrol responded to 228 calls in January, 240 in February and 162 so far in March.

CLICK HERE to watch more from Traffic Team 9's Mark Taylor

Troopers said the construction area is making efforts to combat the issue difficult.

“As long as that’s going on there, we’re going to have issues,” Trooper John Bergen said.

The barriers make matters worse. There’s nowhere for cars to move after a crash, which creates longer backups.

“Prior to the construction starting, if a vehicle broke down or there was a collision, we could move that to the shoulder of the road,” Bergen said. “Now there are certain spots we can’t do that.”

The only solution that troopers see is to focus on driving.

“I think they can pretty much police themselves out there if they pay attention to what they’re doing,” Bergen said.

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