If you're from Charlotte, you know that the south loop of I-485 causes daily delays and traffic, due to its low lane count.

Well, it's even worse when it's closed.

My normal commute consists of exiting Ballantyne via Lancaster, a short trip on 51, and then I-485 for most of the rest of the trip.  Today, knowing that I-485 is closed, I try to exit my development, and are greeted by a parking lot:

All of the exits out of Ballantyne are either blocked off or just a parking lot.  So, I drove south, thinking I would be able to get on 160 to I-77 and head north.  Along the way, I noted that Johnston Rd was backed-up pretty far:

Unfortunately, I had to drive much farther south than I had expected.  The total distance was 50 miles and took a little less than an hour and a half:

Surprisingly, I heard stories of folks sitting in traffic for two and three hours, and having to turn around and go home!  So, my commute wasn't too bad.  Very scenic, too.

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