Crash near I-485 shuts three right lanes of I-77 in north Charlotte Sunday morning

Lane closures reported on a key north Charlotte interchange

A traffic crash temporarily closed half of the travel lanes on Interstate 77 in north Charlotte on Sunday morning, affecting the area near the Interstate 485 interchange and prompting a short-term response from emergency crews.

First responders arrived at the scene at about 10:40 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026, along I-77 near I-485. Transportation officials reported that three of the highway’s six lanes were closed—specifically the three far-right lanes—while crews worked at the site.

No injuries reported; clearance time projected within an hour

Emergency medical officials said there were no injuries associated with the crash. Transportation officials projected the incident would be cleared by approximately 11:40 a.m., indicating a roughly one-hour window of major lane restrictions after responders arrived.

Officials did not release additional information about what caused the crash, the number of vehicles involved, or whether any citations were issued. The incident was described as developing, with limited public details available during the response.

Why the location matters for traffic flow

The I-77 and I-485 connection is a heavily traveled segment of the Charlotte region’s freeway network. Even partial lane closures in this area can create ripple effects, especially when they involve the right-side lanes typically used for merging and exiting traffic. Those conditions can increase congestion and slowdowns as drivers adjust lane positions approaching the interchange.

What drivers can expect during similar lane-blocking incidents

• Delays often concentrate near ramps and merge points when right-side lanes are blocked.

• Traffic may remain slow after lanes reopen due to residual backups.

• Response timelines can change depending on vehicle removal needs and roadway conditions.

As of late morning Sunday, officials reported no injuries and anticipated the lane closures would be cleared by about 11:40 a.m.

Motorists traveling through north Charlotte were advised to anticipate delays around the I-77/I-485 area during the lane closures and to use caution approaching emergency vehicles and traffic shifts.