Jan. 23. Preliminary construction activities and adjacent roadway work have begun at the Griffith Street bridge as part of the I-77 Express Lanes project. Clearing activities are already underway. When the new bridge is complete, it will have new bike lanes and sidewalks. The construction of the bridge will happen in phases. The first phase includes the construction of half of the new bridge. During this phase, traffic will still use the existing traffic lanes of the current bridge. Once the first half of the new bridge is built, traffic will be switched to the new structure. Two traffic lanes, one in each direction, will remain open during construction. The second phase of the Griffith Street Bridge includes the demolition of the current bridge, setting up beams and building the second half of the new bridge. The third phase will include the construction of new sidewalks, including connecting to existing sidewalks. According to a press release from I-77 Mobility Partners, Sugar Creek Construction will minimize the impact of traffic changes by scheduling specific activities during non-peak drive times. The express lanes will run adjacent to the existing general purpose lanes from Charlotte to Mooresville. The number of general purpose lanes will remain the same; drivers will have the choice of using the express lanes to avoid travel delays, the general purpose lanes or a combination of both. Vehicles with three or more occupants (including the driver) and equipped with a transponder may use the express lanes for free.