City Announces Aug. 17 Closure of College Street Off-Ramp on I-277

Published on August 03, 2026

I-277 College St. Exit Closure and Detour

Construction activities continue on the Rail Trail Pedestrian Bridge over Interstate 277 project that will connect Uptown to South End. Starting at midnight on Monday, Aug. 17, the off-ramp to College Street at Exit 1E off I-277 South will close. Crews will start preparations on Sunday, Aug. 16, after 9 p.m.

This closure will allow the contractor to work in the south abutment, including the installation of rebar, setting up forms and preparing to pour concrete. The contractor will also build barrier walls, install storm water pipe and start fabricating the bridge on site. The ramp will remain closed for the duration of construction and is expected to re-open in late 2027.

Work in the center median of I-277 continues and is expected to be complete Aug. 21. The inside lanes of I-277 will re-open once all median work is complete.

DETOUR FOR SOUTHBOUND MOTORISTS ON I-277 EFFECTIVE AUG. 17

To access College Street, southbound travelers may continue using Exit 1E and use the South Boulevard/Caldwell Street ramp to turn right on South Caldwell Street, then left on Brooklyn Village Avenue. South College Street is the next intersection.

Please refer to the map below.

A map of the College Street ramp closure

To ensure worker and motorist safety, please obey all directional signage in the project area.

Residents can sign up to receive daily road closure notices and other updates or view current impacts anytime using the interactive street closure map. Closures included in the Charlotte Street Closure Map also populate in the Waze application, and travelers are encouraged to use the Waze navigation tool when traveling throughout Charlotte. You may also visit the DriveNC website for current road conditions, traffic updates and the latest closures affecting this state-maintained road.

The Rail Trail Bridge will provide a new bicycle- and pedestrian-only connection over I-277, from the CATS Blue Line Brooklyn Village Station to where the existing Rail Trail ends under the East Morehead Street bridge, north of Carson Street. Users will have seamless access between Center City and South End. Construction will include a signature bridge with multiple structural arches, cables and aesthetic lighting, along with upgraded walkways and approach areas on both sides of I-277.

Learn more about the project online.