Special to Iredell County

A new traffic pattern will begin next week along a stretch of Interstate 40 in western Davie County near the Iredell County line.

About 9 a.m. on Tuesday, November 10, eastbound I-40 traffic will be shifted across the median to a single, barrier-protected lane utilizing one of the westbound lanes, reducing traffic to one lane in both directions between the U.S. 64 interchanges at Exits 168 and 162.

This shift will allow the contractor to replace the eastbound bridge over Hunting Creek, mirroring the pattern installed in March to replace the westbound bridge.

Drivers should slow down when approaching this stretch of I-40 and be mindful of crews working in the area and vehicles entering and exiting the work zone.

This work is part of the $55.6 million project to rehabilitate 6.5 miles of I-40, which includes the replacement of two interstate bridges over Hunting Creek and upgrading the U.S. 64 bridge over I-40 at Exit 168.