Heavy Morning Delays on N. Tryon St. and Major Regional Closures on I-73

Morning Commute Overview for Wednesday, March 18, 2026

Commuters across the Charlotte metropolitan area are facing a difficult Wednesday morning as a combination of accidents, long-term construction projects, and weather-related road conditions impact major arteries. With showers and thunderstorms moving through the region, reduced visibility and wet pavement on I-77 and I-85 are adding significant travel time to the morning rush.

Accident Alert: North Tryon Street

A significant accident has been reported on North Tryon Street outbound at Eastway Drive. The incident has resulted in stop-and-go traffic extending back to Sugar Creek Road. Motorists are strongly advised to seek alternative routes such as North Davidson Street or The Plaza to avoid heavy congestion in the area. Law enforcement and emergency crews are on-site, but clearing the scene is expected to take several hours.

Major Regional Closure: I-73 North

Travelers heading out of Charlotte toward Fayetteville should be prepared for a major closure on I-73 North. The interstate is currently closed between Charlotte and Fayetteville near Exit 25 following a serious crash. While this is part of a multi-day advisory scheduled to conclude on March 20, the current blockage is causing severe backups. Traffic is being diverted to US-220, and significant delays are expected on all secondary roads in the vicinity.

Infrastructure and Construction Updates

• Uptown Road Closure: Brooklyn Village Avenue remains closed this morning as crews continue the dismantling of a tower crane. This closure is creating localized bottlenecks throughout the Uptown district, particularly for those accessing government center facilities.
• I-485 Express Lanes: Construction continues along the southern stretch of the I-485 outer loop. While the express lanes are in their final stages of completion, contract crews are finishing paving operations and separating the express lanes from general-purpose lanes. Commuters should expect narrowed lanes and a 55 mph speed limit between Pineville and Matthews.
• Independence Boulevard Busway: The busway on Independence Boulevard is currently closed for manhole repairs. This impact continues to affect CATS express routes, including the 40x and 74x, which are being diverted onto the main travel lanes.

Public Transit and CATS Alerts

The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) reports that Route 77x is operating on a temporary detour this morning due to roundabout installation. Additionally, LYNX Blue Line riders should expect heightened activity in the South End area as construction begins on the new station located between Remount Road and Tremont Drive. CATS has also issued a scheduling reminder for Microtransit users to book trips in advance due to high demand this morning.

Commuter Safety Tip

NCDOT reminds drivers that wet roads from early morning thunderstorms significantly increase the risk of hydroplaning. Visibility is expected to remain low through the midday hours. Please maintain a safe following distance on the I-485 corridor and avoid using cruise control on slick surfaces.