CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Toll lanes are coming to Ballantyne in south Charlotte.
After years of planning, the North Carolina Department of Transportation has selected Blythe Construction with a $346 million contract.
Ground will break in the summer, and a toll lane will run in each direction on I-485 from I-77 to U.S. 74.
Watch the video above as reporter Joe Bruno breaks down the new toll lane construction contract and how it will affect drivers.
There are, however, some major differences between the project and the hotly-contested toll lanes that are opening later this year in Lake Norman.
The state will own and operate the tolls on I-485, and any surplus revenue generated from the tolls will benefit I-485.
Past toll road coverage
- I-77 toll lane subcontractor who drove dump truck into bridge banned from work on project
- GALLERY: Dump truck hits bridge on I-77
- RELATED: Just how expensive will I-77 tolls be?
- A look at how much drivers on I-77 can expect to pay in toll rates
- Costly new compromise for I-77 toll lanes, but is there enough money for all local projects?]
- Some city leaders say I-77 tolls could stop big business growth
- Lawmakers pass transportation bill without addressing I-77 tolls project
- Audit: NCDOT followed all laws when awarding I-77 tolls contract
- Just how expensive will I-77 tolls be?
- Advocates for plan to stop I-77 toll project say progress being made
The state is also going to add an extra free lane in addition to the toll lane.
NCDOT is adding one general purpose lane in each direction of I-485 between Rea Road and Providence Road.
Read more top trending stories on wsoctv.com:
- RAE CARRUTH STORY EXCLUSIVE: "I just truly want to be forgiven"
- President Donald Trump to stump for Rep. Mark Harris next week in Charlotte
- North Carolina state trooper stabbed in shoulder after chase
- Police vow to find out what happened to 6-year-old boy weeks after body found in creek
- Woman shot in knee, children unharmed after home sprayed with bullets
Cox Media Group
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/LH3JSJEF3VBLRJLJQESEAG34AM.png)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/Z6STAYQ53BDENL5V6BRBE7BSHA.jpeg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/43TP2IYPOFG5TCSHMXVL6U6FDE.jpg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/YUT7KT2OFNDFVJUOK5CXNV25XA.jpg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/SWNKG6TR5ZDIFJHRE3MIO7Y6QE.jpeg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/BGQFTM2RRBEGNBQ5CZP3Y3QVTE.jpeg)