CONCORD, N.C. — An entrance to the Concord Mills will be closing soon!
Next week, the mall entrance across from Kings Grant Pavilion, which is closest to Interstate 85, will close Jan. 6 at 7 p.m.
The entrance will be closed until the new flyover bridge from Concord Mills Boulevard into the mall is finished.
The bridge is expected to be opened to traffic in the fall of 2020 and will be fully completed in summer 2021.
“The roadwork enhancements are intended to provide a long-term solution to traffic and parking needs to ensure the best experience for our shoppers and neighbors," Concord Mills general manager Ray Soporowski said. "We are giving the city and the North Carolina Department of Transportation our full cooperation to streamline this process and have the work completed and all entrances to Concord Mills back open as soon and as safely as possible.”
The goal of the project is to improve access to the mall and ease traffic on Concord Mills Boulevard.
“I actually avoid coming to Concord just because of how crazy all the traffic is going in and out of the mall and off the highway,” driver Jessica Stewart said.
The bridge will replace the left turn lanes on Concord Mills Boulevard at the first mall entrance closest to I-85, improving traffic flow.
“In the long run it may be easier, but like for 10 months its closing, its not going to be the best idea,” Stewart said.
Traffic in the area was at its worst over the holidays with shoppers stuck in the mall parking lot for hours.
Drivers said when the project is done, they hope to see some relief.
“It actually would help knowing that there wont be as much congestion or road work ... would convince me to come to Concord more,” Stewart said.
The $10.2 million contract to extend a two-lane flyover bridge was awarded in January 2018.
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