This Highway Exit Is So Hazardous It's Being Made into Its Own Video Game

      At times, laughter is necessary to stave off tears. That's how Charlotte-based video game developer Mike Ramirez is managing the challenges posed by the notorious exit 3A on I-277. He is developing a game that allows players to confront the fear, peril, and irritation associated with exit 3A, prompting the question: Could a highway exit be so problematic that it inspires a video game?

      It seems that nearly every local in Charlotte thinks it is.

      “Is it reminiscent of the ’70s and ’80s game The Oregon Trail, where you perish almost every time?” inquired one Reddit user. “Rated MA for violence and profanity,” quipped another.

      That certainly sounds quite dreadful. But what exactly makes this exit so perilous? As you take the exit from I-277 via 3A, you must cross three lanes of traffic while cars are merging from 12th Street to turn right onto North Davidson Street—all within a mere 220 feet. Even if you aren’t turning right, merging in with that traffic is a nightmare, making it one of the most dangerous and challenging roads in the state.

      It's unsurprising that this piece of infrastructure struggles to accommodate modern traffic. It’s a design from the 1960s that hasn’t adapted to current needs. The North Carolina Department of Transportation anticipated that 2,100 vehicles would utilize the exit every day by 1995; however, by 2022, Charlotte Magazine reported that 12,000 drivers used exit 3A daily.

      But it’s not just the outdated and questionable road design; the drivers contribute significantly as well. Numerous Charlotte residents complain about Nissan Altimas with temp tags making reckless lane changes or trucks that allow cargo to drop from their beds. One Reddit user asked when the Altima downloadable content (DLC) would be released, while another told Ramirez, “Don’t forget to include unexpected debris on 277. I once saw gas tanks, furniture, ladders, and large car parts… I was involved in a multi-car accident when the people next to me struck an axle on 277. (sic)”

      Returning to the game, Ramirez places players in control of a cargo truck that they must navigate down I-277, exit at 3A, and successfully make the challenging right onto North Davidson before time expires—all while keeping an outrageously precarious load intact. Players can choose their cargo, including beer kegs, comically oversized soccer balls, and my personal favorite—arcade machines. Utilizing the Bevy game engine, both the vehicles and cargo have entertaining physics, causing the truck to soar into the air during a crash and spilling cargo onto the road, resulting in even more vehicular chaos.

      This appears to be a great time, even for those not from Charlotte. For residents who frequently use exit 3A, it's a therapeutic way to find humor in and enjoy the frustrations of a daily inconvenience.