Interstate 485
Encyclopedia
- For two unbuilt highways, see Interstate 485 (Georgia)Interstate 485 (Georgia)Interstate 485 was a proposed U.S. Interstate Highway in Atlanta, Georgia, heading eastwards and then northwards from downtown. The 5.9 mile-long route would have begun at the Downtown Connector and used the proposed State Route 410 east to the junction with the also-proposed State Route 400...
.
Interstate 485 (I-485) is an Interstate Highway and a nearly completed beltway around Charlotte
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
, North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
.
Route description
The western, southern and eastern segments of the beltway are complete and open to traffic. The current path runs west from NC 115North Carolina Highway 115
North Carolina Highway 115 is a primary state highway in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It runs from U.S. 21 in north Charlotte north through Mecklenburg, Iredell and Wilkes counties. Its northern terminus is at its intersection with NC 18 and NC 268 in North Wilkesboro.-External links:**...
(Old Statesville Road), crosses I-77
Interstate 77
Interstate 77 is an Interstate Highway in the eastern United States. It traverses diverse terrain, from the mountainous state of West Virginia to the rolling farmlands of North Carolina and Ohio. It largely supplants the old U.S...
turns south and crosses I-85 near Charlotte/Douglas International Airport
Charlotte/Douglas International Airport
Charlotte Douglas International Airport is a joint civil-military public international airport located in Charlotte, North Carolina. Established in 1935 as Charlotte Municipal Airport, in 1954 the airport was renamed Douglas Municipal Airport after former Charlotte mayor Ben Elbert Douglas, Sr...
then continues counter-clockwise back to I-85 near the Charlotte Motor Speedway
Charlotte Motor Speedway
Charlotte Motor Speedway is a motorsports complex located in Concord, North Carolina, United States 13 miles from Charlotte, North Carolina. The complex features a quad oval track that hosts NASCAR racing including the prestigious Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day weekend and the Sprint All-Star Race...
, the city of Concord
Concord, North Carolina
Concord is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. According to Census 2010, the city has a current population of 79,066. It is the largest city in Cabarrus County and is the county seat. In terms of population, the city of Concord is the second largest city in the Charlotte Metropolitan Area...
and Concord Mills
Concord Mills
Concord Mills is a nearly-1.4 million square foot shopping mall located in Concord, North Carolina. The mall is in Cabarrus County, just a few hundred feet from the Mecklenburg County border, and about from downtown Charlotte. One of two shopping malls in Concord, it was built & formerly...
, and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
The University of North Carolina at Charlotte , also known as UNC Charlotte or simply Charlotte, is a public research university located in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States...
, crossing I-77 again south of uptown Charlotte. During rush hour
Rush hour
A rush hour or peak hour is a part of the day during which traffic congestion on roads and crowding on public transport is at its highest. Normally, this happens twice a day—once in the morning and once in the evening, the times during when the most people commute...
, this newly opened roadway is an easy, but long, way around the I-77/I-85 interchange in north Charlotte.
The northwest segment from I-85 to I-77 was opened in phases. The segment from NC 27 (Mount Holly Road) to NC 16 (Brookshire Boulevard) opened on May 9, 2007; the segment from NC 16 to NC 115
North Carolina Highway 115
North Carolina Highway 115 is a primary state highway in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It runs from U.S. 21 in north Charlotte north through Mecklenburg, Iredell and Wilkes counties. Its northern terminus is at its intersection with NC 18 and NC 268 in North Wilkesboro.-External links:**...
(Old Statesville Road), just beyond the I-77 interchange, originally scheduled to open in March 2007, opened on December 5, 2008, after numerous delays, the most recent being a cold and wet late summer/ early fall. The final segment, from I-77 to I-85 near UNC Charlotte
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
The University of North Carolina at Charlotte , also known as UNC Charlotte or simply Charlotte, is a public research university located in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States...
, has begun the Right of Way Acquisition phase with contracts awarded in June 2010.
Although the loop runs within 1.5 miles (2.4 km) of the South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
state line, and within 20 feet (6.1 m) of the Cabarrus County
Cabarrus County, North Carolina
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 131,063 people, 49,519 households, and 36,545 families residing in the county. The population density was 360 people per square mile . There were 52,848 housing units at an average density of 145 per square mile...
line at the Rocky River Road exit, the entire Outerbelt is in within Mecklenburg County's boundaries, and never crosses into South Carolina or any neighboring counties. The Outerbelt traverses the towns of Mint Hill
Mint Hill, North Carolina
Mint Hill is a suburban town in southeastern Mecklenburg and northwestern Union counties in the U.S. state of North Carolina, it is a major suburb on the outskirts of Charlotte and near the Cabarrus County line...
, Matthews
Matthews, North Carolina
Matthews is a large suburban town of Charlotte located in southeastern Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. The population was 27,198 according to the 2010 Census.- Geography :Matthews is located at ....
, Pineville
Pineville, North Carolina
Pineville is a suburban town in the southernmost portion of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina situated in the Waxhaws district between Charlotte, North Carolina and Rock Hill, South Carolina....
, and Huntersville
Huntersville, North Carolina
Huntersville is a large town in Mecklenburg and Cabarrus Counties, North Carolina, United States. The population was 46,773 at the 2010 census, which makes Huntersville the 19th largest city in North Carolina. It is located about 12 miles north of uptown Charlotte. It is thought that the town...
. This will be the first "true" loop road around Charlotte, since the present I-277
Interstate 277 (North Carolina)
Interstate 277 is a loop in central Charlotte, North Carolina. The southern terminus is located on the southwest side of downtown. I-277 loops around the downtown area and reconnects with I-77/U.S. 21 north of uptown...
freeway is an inner business loop around uptown Charlotte.
Orientation and signage
Since Interstate 485, when completed, will be a beltway, the compass orientation of the freeway is not uniform around the loop. To remedy the uniformity issue, the inner/outer orientationInner/outer directions
Inner/outer directions are labels that identify the direction of travel on opposing lanes of traffic on certain ring roads and beltways. They can be used to sign individual routes that encircle a city or metropolitan area, where east–west and north–south orientations cannot be applied uniformly...
system was implemented and became the primary method of signing the direction of travel around the loop. Some sections of the loop are signed with additional north/south or east/west labels (depending on the general direction of travel along a particular stretch) to aid drivers familiar with compass directions. Usually when both systems are utilized on signs, the compass directional banner is placed above the number shield and the inner/outer banner is placed below. Officials originally decided to use only "north" and "south" compass directions when signing the route, but because this would be confusing with multiple "norths" and "souths", "inner" and "outer" designations were included. Althouth "east" and "west" signs exist, these will be phased out in favor of "inner" and "outer" designations.
Traffic traveling in a clockwise
Clockwise
Circular motion can occur in two possible directions. A clockwise motion is one that proceeds in the same direction as a clock's hands: from the top to the right, then down and then to the left, and back to the top...
direction around the city of Charlotte is on the "Inner" loop and traffic traveling in a counterclockwise direction is on the "Outer" loop. This system can be confusing, but it is logical; since traffic in the United States generally travels on the right side of the road, the clockwise traveling lanes will always be the "Inner" lanes of a loop.
Volume and capacity
As of 2006, approximately 24 miles (38.6 km) of I-485 between NC 51 (Exit 65) and NC 24-27 (Exit 41), has four travel lanes. Volume on this section varies widely from a maximum of 120,000 vehicles per day (vpd) east of NC 51 to a 50,000 vpd south of NC 24.Approximately 10 miles (16.1 km) of I-485 between NC 24-27 (Exit 41) and I-85 (Exit 31) has between six and eight travel lanes. Volume on this section varies between 50,000 vpd and 55,000 vpd.
Approximately 10 miles (16.1 km) of I-485 between I-77 (Exit 67) and I-85 (Exit 10) has between six and eight travel lanes. Volume on this section varies between 50,000 and 80,000 vpd.
Volume on the southern section of I-485 regularly exceeds capacity during peak travel times, particularly between I-77 (Exit 67) and NC 16 (Exit 57). Many of the interchanges in this area were designed to accommodate large volumes of traffic, particular the massive interchange with I-77. However, with only two travel lanes in each direction, I-485 does a poor job of handling through traffic when volume is heavy.
Future
Gov. Bev PerdueBev Perdue
Beverly Eaves "Bev" Perdue is an American politician and member of the Democratic Party currently serving as the 73rd Governor of the U.S. state of North Carolina. She is the first female governor of North Carolina....
was pushing to have the final section of the loop (connecting NC 115 to I-85) started in the year 2009 and completed within three years, possibly utilizing funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, abbreviated ARRA and commonly referred to as the Stimulus or The Recovery Act, is an economic stimulus package enacted by the 111th United States Congress in February 2009 and signed into law on February 17, 2009, by President Barack Obama.To...
. This project will coincide with a planned widening of I-85 through Cabarrus County
Cabarrus County, North Carolina
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 131,063 people, 49,519 households, and 36,545 families residing in the county. The population density was 360 people per square mile . There were 52,848 housing units at an average density of 145 per square mile...
and convert the current trumpet interchange (exit 48 off I-85), from what was originally planned as a stack interchange
Stack interchange
A stack interchange is a free-flowing grade separated junction between two roads.In countries where one drives on the right, left turns are handled by semi-directional flyover/under ramps...
, into a turbine interchange.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation has proposed to build additional travel and auxiliary lanes along the southern section of I-485 between US 521/Johnston Road (exit 61) and I-77/US 21 (exit 67). Construction is currently scheduled to begin in 2012. On November 18, 2011, it was reported in the local news that NCDOT is considering adding an additional toll lane along the current project, making it eight travel lanes and extend the widening project from four to six travel lanes from Providence Road (exit 57) to US 521/Johnston Road (exit 61). The new toll lane would use the electronic toll collection
Electronic toll collection
Electronic toll collection , an adaptation of military "identification friend or foe" technology, aims to eliminate the delay on toll roads by collecting tolls electronically. It is thus a technological implementation of a road pricing concept...
system, same as used on the Triangle Expressway. It is unknown at this time if it will be a toll only lane or a HOT lane
High occupancy/toll and express toll lanes
High occupancy/toll lanes is a road pricing scheme that gives motorists in single-occupant vehicles access to high-occupancy vehicle lanes . Sometimes, entire roads are designated for the use of HOVs. Tolls are collected either by manned toll booths, automatic number plate recognition, or...
.
In addition, NCDOT is planning to convert the existing grade separation at Weddington Road (located between Exit 57 and Exit 52) to an interchange beginning in 2013. The proposed design is a folded-diamond style interchange with all four ramps located to one side of the existing grade separation, similar to the existing interchange of I-485 & NC 24/NC 27. The westbound (inner) ramps are proposed to intersect Weddington Road directly opposite Plantation Drive. The future interchange will likely be designated Exit 54.
Exit list
Mile numbering on Interstate 485 is set up for when the freeway is a completed loop. Numbering begins at Interstate 77Interstate 77
Interstate 77 is an Interstate Highway in the eastern United States. It traverses diverse terrain, from the mountainous state of West Virginia to the rolling farmlands of North Carolina and Ohio. It largely supplants the old U.S...
south of Charlotte and continues clockwise
Clockwise
Circular motion can occur in two possible directions. A clockwise motion is one that proceeds in the same direction as a clock's hands: from the top to the right, then down and then to the left, and back to the top...
to NC 115
North Carolina Highway 115
North Carolina Highway 115 is a primary state highway in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It runs from U.S. 21 in north Charlotte north through Mecklenburg, Iredell and Wilkes counties. Its northern terminus is at its intersection with NC 18 and NC 268 in North Wilkesboro.-External links:**...
(Old Statesville Rd) on the Northeast side of Charlotte. The road ends there for now. I-485 begins again at Interstate 85 northeast of Charlotte, and continues as if the road had not ended, at mile 31 (in reality, an 8-mile (14-kilometre) gap exists between the two exits), and continues to Interstate 77 at mile 67.
The entire route is in Mecklenburg County
Mecklenburg County, North Carolina
-Air:The county's primary commercial aviation airport is Charlotte Douglas International Airport in Charlotte.- Intercity rail :With twenty-five freight trains a day, Mecklenburg is a freight railroad transportation center, largely due to its place on the NS main line between Washington and Atlanta...
.
{|class="wikitable"
|-
!Location
!#
Exit number
An exit number is a number assigned to a road junction, usually an exit from a freeway. It is usually marked on the same sign as the destinations of the exit, as well as a sign in the gore....
!Destinations
!Notes
|-
|rowspan=3|Charlotte
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
|1
|
|
|-
|3
|Arrowood Road
|
|-
|4
| – Fort Mill
Fort Mill, South Carolina
Fort Mill is a fast-growing suburban town in both York and Lancaster counties in the U.S. state of South Carolina, and a suburb of the city of Charlotte, North Carolina, and Rock Hill...
|
|-
|rowspan=3|
|6
|West Boulevard
|
|-
|9
|
Charlotte/Douglas International Airport
Charlotte/Douglas International Airport
Charlotte Douglas International Airport is a joint civil-military public international airport located in Charlotte, North Carolina. Established in 1935 as Charlotte Municipal Airport, in 1954 the airport was renamed Douglas Municipal Airport after former Charlotte mayor Ben Elbert Douglas, Sr...
|Exit is part of exit 10 southbound
|-
|10
|, Spartanburg
Spartanburg, South Carolina
thgSpartanburg is the largest city in and the county seat of Spartanburg County, South Carolina, United States. It is the second-largest city of the three primary cities in the Upstate region of South Carolina, and is located northwest of Columbia, west of Charlotte, and about northeast of...
|Signed as exits 10A (north) and 10B (south) on exit collector lanes
|-
|rowspan=5|Charlotte
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
|12
|Moores Chapel Road
|
|-
|14
|
|
|-
|16
|
|
|- style="background:#ffdead"
|
|Oakdale Road
|Future exit (partially constructed, no timetable for completion)
|-
|21
|
|To Northlake Mall
Northlake Mall (Charlotte)
Northlake Mall is an upscale shopping mall located eight miles north of center city Charlotte, North Carolina off of Interstate 77 at exit 18, Harris Blvd, and off of Interstate 485 at exit 21 Harris Blvd....
|-
|rowspan=2|Huntersville
Huntersville, North Carolina
Huntersville is a large town in Mecklenburg and Cabarrus Counties, North Carolina, United States. The population was 46,773 at the 2010 census, which makes Huntersville the 19th largest city in North Carolina. It is located about 12 miles north of uptown Charlotte. It is thought that the town...
|23
|
|Signed as exits 23A (south) and 23B (north) southbound
|-
| style="background:#fdd;"|23C
| style="background:#fdd;"|
| style="background:#fdd;"|Northbound exit and southbound entrance
|-
|rowspan=5|Charlotte
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
|style="background:#ffdead"|
|style="background:#ffdead"|Prosperity Church Road
|rowspan=2 style="background:#ffdead"|Proposed new freeway (funded, to be completed 2014)
|-
|style="background:#ffdead"|
|style="background:#ffdead"|Mallard Creek Road
|-
| style="background:#fdd;"|31
| style="background:#fdd;"|, Spartanburg
Spartanburg, South Carolina
thgSpartanburg is the largest city in and the county seat of Spartanburg County, South Carolina, United States. It is the second-largest city of the three primary cities in the Upstate region of South Carolina, and is located northwest of Columbia, west of Charlotte, and about northeast of...
| style="background:#fdd;"|Northbound exit and southbound entrance
|-
|32
|
|To Charlotte Motor Speedway
Charlotte Motor Speedway
Charlotte Motor Speedway is a motorsports complex located in Concord, North Carolina, United States 13 miles from Charlotte, North Carolina. The complex features a quad oval track that hosts NASCAR racing including the prestigious Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day weekend and the Sprint All-Star Race...
|-
|33
|
|To UNC Charlotte
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
The University of North Carolina at Charlotte , also known as UNC Charlotte or simply Charlotte, is a public research university located in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States...
|-
|rowspan=2|
|36
|Rocky River Road
|
|-
|39
|Harrisburg Road
|
|-
|rowspan=4|Mint Hill
Mint Hill, North Carolina
Mint Hill is a suburban town in southeastern Mecklenburg and northwestern Union counties in the U.S. state of North Carolina, it is a major suburb on the outskirts of Charlotte and near the Cabarrus County line...
|41
|
|
|-
|43
|
|
|-
|44
|
|
|-
|47
|Lawyers Road
|
|-
|rowspan=4|Matthews
Matthews, North Carolina
Matthews is a large suburban town of Charlotte located in southeastern Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. The population was 27,198 according to the 2010 Census.- Geography :Matthews is located at ....
|49
|Idlewild Road
|
|-
|51
|
|Signed as exits 51A (west) and 51B (east) southbound
|-
|52
|East John Street – Matthews
Matthews, North Carolina
Matthews is a large suburban town of Charlotte located in southeastern Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. The population was 27,198 according to the 2010 Census.- Geography :Matthews is located at ....
|
|-
|style="background:#ffdead"|
|style="background:#ffdead"|Weddington Road
|style="background:#ffdead"|Future exit (funded, no timetable for completion)
|-
|rowspan=3|Charlotte
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
|57
|
|
|-
|59
|Rea Road
|
|-
|61
|
|Signed as exits 61A (north) and 61B (south) northbound; to Ballantyne
Ballantyne (neighborhood)
Ballantyne is a neighborhood in the city of Charlotte, North Carolina.It is a community located in south Charlotte, adjacent to the South Carolina border.The community was named after land developer Howard C. “Smoky” Bissell's aunt Barbara Ballantyne...
|-
|rowspan=2|Pineville
Pineville, North Carolina
Pineville is a suburban town in the southernmost portion of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina situated in the Waxhaws district between Charlotte, North Carolina and Rock Hill, South Carolina....
|64
|
|Signed as exits 64A (north) and 64B (south) northbound; to Carolina Place Mall
Carolina Place Mall
Carolina Place Mall is a shopping mall located in Pineville, North Carolina, a suburb of Charlotte. The mall is anchored by Sears, Belk, JCPenney, Dillard's, and Macy's.-History:...
|-
|65
|South Boulevard – Pineville
Pineville, North Carolina
Pineville is a suburban town in the southernmost portion of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina situated in the Waxhaws district between Charlotte, North Carolina and Rock Hill, South Carolina....
|Signed as exits 65A (south) and 65B (north) southbound
|-
||Charlotte
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
|67
|, Columbia
Columbia, South Carolina
Columbia is the state capital and largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The population was 129,272 according to the 2010 census. Columbia is the county seat of Richland County, but a portion of the city extends into neighboring Lexington County. The city is the center of a metropolitan...
|-
Alternate names
Though the highway is commonly known as either "I-485" or "Charlotte Outerbelt" throughout the state, the highway does have other names posted to honor various important citizens. Even though the names are present, not many local residents use them.- Charlotte Beltway - Alternate name given to entire freeway.
- Craig Lawing Freeway - Road name from mile marker 10-23 (northwest section).
- Doctor Jay Robinson Freeway - Future road name from mile marker 23-31 (northeast section), named after a former superintendent of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg SchoolsCharlotte-Mecklenburg SchoolsCharlotte-Mecklenburg Schools is a local education agency headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina and is the public school system for Mecklenburg County. With over 133,600 students enrolled, it is the second-largest school district in North Carolina and the twentieth-largest in the nation...
system. - GovernorGovernor of North CarolinaThe Governor of North Carolina is the chief executive of the State of North Carolina, one of the U.S. states. The current governor is Bev Perdue, North Carolina's first female governor.-Powers:...
James G. MartinJames G. MartinJames Grubbs "Jim" Martin is the 70th Governor of the state of North Carolina. He served from 1985 to 1993. He was the second Republican elected to the office after Reconstruction, and the fifth overall. He is also the only Republican to serve two full terms as governor.-Early Life &...
Freeway - Road name from mile marker 31-67 (southeast section). - Seddon "Rusty" Goode Freeway - Road name from mile marker 0-10 (southwest section). Seddon Goode served on the transportation board in Mecklenburg CountyMecklenburg County, North Carolina-Air:The county's primary commercial aviation airport is Charlotte Douglas International Airport in Charlotte.- Intercity rail :With twenty-five freight trains a day, Mecklenburg is a freight railroad transportation center, largely due to its place on the NS main line between Washington and Atlanta...
and helped bring I-485 a reality.
See also
- Carolina Place MallCarolina Place MallCarolina Place Mall is a shopping mall located in Pineville, North Carolina, a suburb of Charlotte. The mall is anchored by Sears, Belk, JCPenney, Dillard's, and Macy's.-History:...
- Carowinds
- Charlotte Motor SpeedwayCharlotte Motor SpeedwayCharlotte Motor Speedway is a motorsports complex located in Concord, North Carolina, United States 13 miles from Charlotte, North Carolina. The complex features a quad oval track that hosts NASCAR racing including the prestigious Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day weekend and the Sprint All-Star Race...
- I-485 / South Boulevard (LYNX station)
- Northlake Mall (Charlotte)Northlake Mall (Charlotte)Northlake Mall is an upscale shopping mall located eight miles north of center city Charlotte, North Carolina off of Interstate 77 at exit 18, Harris Blvd, and off of Interstate 485 at exit 21 Harris Blvd....
- U.S. National Whitewater CenterU.S. National Whitewater CenterThe U.S. National Whitewater Center is a non-profit outdoor recreation and athletic training facility for whitewater rafting, kayaking, canoeing, rock climbing, mountain biking and hiking which opened to the public on November 4th, 2006....
- University of North Carolina at CharlotteUniversity of North Carolina at CharlotteThe University of North Carolina at Charlotte , also known as UNC Charlotte or simply Charlotte, is a public research university located in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States...
- Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre CharlotteVerizon Wireless Amphitheatre CharlotteThe Verizon Wireless Amphitheater Charlotte is an outdoor amphitheater in Charlotte, North Carolina that specializes in hosting large concerts. The facility originally opened as the Blockbuster Pavilion in 1991, and largely replaced the Paladium Amphitheater at Carowinds as the premier outdoor...