GASTONIA, N.C. — Interstate 85 southbound in Gaston County has reopened but still faced miles of delays after a closure during Friday's rush hour commute.
The road was closed southbound near the exit for Lowell, which is Exit 22 for South Main Street. Even after the roadway fully reopened, delays continued to stretch back several miles through at least McAdenville and Belmont. Delays stretched back across the Catawba River and back into Charlotte and Mecklenburg County.
Northbound lanes remained open but also faced long delays.
Eventually, the delays cleared out and normal traffic resumed.
As a detour, drivers caoulduse Exit 27 or Exit 26. From there, drivers could travel south before turning right to go westbound on U.S. 74 (also known as Wilkinson Blvd.) Drivers could also use Exit 23 or Exit 22 to exit into Lowell, where they could use Lowell Road to bypass the closure. Lowell Road turns into East Ozark Ave., which meets I-85 again at Exit 19.
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