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Starting Friday, drivers taking Dale Earnhardt Boulevard to Interstate 85 South will be able to take a new flyover ramp as part of the I-85 widening project in Cabarrus County.

To safely open the new ramp, the existing southbound loop at Dale Earnhardt Boulevard/Roxie Street will permanently close at 9 p.m. Thursday, and the new flyover ramp is expected to open by 1 a.m. Friday.

In the interim period, drivers can access I-85 South using a temporary detour along Dale Earnhardt Boulevard and U.S. 29.

The rest area on I-85 South will be closed from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. to close the old entrance and open the new entrance ramp.

Once the new ramp is open, traffic heading east or west on Dale Earnhardt Boulevard will use the new ramp on the east side of the overpass to access I-85 South.

Signage and message boards will be in place to help motorists get used to the new pattern.