A major bridge replacement in North Carolina will expand transportation capacity between Gaston and Mecklenburg counties while strengthening a regional route used by motorists, businesses and travelers. The North Carolina Department of Transportation selected Zachry Construction Corporation as prime contractor for the U.S. 29/U.S. 74 Bridge Replacement over the Catawba River and N.C. 7 at U.S. 74 project.
Construction began in September 2026, with substantial completion scheduled for April 2031. The existing Catawba River bridge will be replaced with a larger six-lane structure intended to improve capacity and reliability along the Wilkinson Boulevard/U.S. 29-74 corridor.
The expanded crossing is also designed to provide additional resilience when traffic is diverted from Interstate 85 during emergency situations.
The project extends beyond the river crossing. Improvements at N.C. 7/Catawba Street will introduce a reduced-conflict intersection configuration intended to accommodate traffic volumes and address recurring congestion.
The project also includes new multi-use paths connecting areas such as Gaston College, Kevin Loftin Riverfront Park and the ISWA Nature Preserve, along with proposed Belmont greenway connections.
Zachry’s construction scope includes grading, drainage, paving, traffic signals, utility work, erosion control, traffic management and bridge construction.
The new bridge will use drilled piers, steel piles and prestressed concrete girders supporting a reinforced concrete deck. Additional elements include barrier rail, lighting, utility conduit, bridge coatings and architectural treatments.
The Catawba River project adds to Zachry Construction’s transportation portfolio across the Southeast. The contractor has also worked on bridge and highway projects in North Carolina and South Carolina, including projects involving the Haywood County Bridges, N.C. 55 Alston Avenue, Capital Boulevard and SCDOT U.S. 76 over the Wateree River.
Zachry reports that it has constructed more than 350 bridges during the past decade, providing experience across large transportation programs and waterway crossings.
Replacing the Catawba River bridge while improving surrounding intersections, pedestrian connections and roadway infrastructure will address both current capacity needs and longer-term regional mobility. The multiyear project also demonstrates the scale of coordination required when major bridge construction must maintain transportation connectivity throughout an active regional corridor
Source: Zachary Construction.
