NC 540 Interchange

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Project Information

The Complete 540 project will extend the Triangle Expressway from the N.C. 55 Bypass in Apex to Interstate 87/U.S. 64/U.S. 264 in Knightdale, completing the outer 540 loop around the greater Raleigh area. The construction of a $2.3-billion toll road around North Carolina’s capital city has meant blasting through rock and hills, moving communications towers and relocating residents as the construction project focuses on a 2024 opening that will connect eastern and southern Triangle region communities.

While connecting surrounding towns and cities (Apex, Cary, Clayton, Fuquay-Varina, Garner, Holly Springs, and Raleigh), the project is also expected to ease traffic on local roadways, including I-440, I-40, I-87, N.C. 42, N.C. 55, and Ten Ten Road. The project also meets the social and economic mobility considerations in eastern and southern Wake and Johnston counties.

The Complete 540 project is being constructed in two phases. Phase 1 will extend the Triangle Expressway approximately 18 miles from the existing corridor at N.C. 55 to I-40/U.S. 70 (future I-42).

Phase 1 is being constructed in three sections according to the 2024-2033 State Transportation Improvement Program:​​

• Triangle Expressway extension from N.C. 55 Bypass to east of Pierce Olive Road (R-2721A)
  
• Triangle Expressway extension from east of Pierce Olive Road to U.S. 401 (R-2721B)
  
• Triangle Expressway extension from U.S. 401 to I-40/U.S. 70 (future I-42) (R-2828)
  

Phase 2 of the project will extend the Triangle Expressway an additional 10 miles from I-40 to the existing I-540/I-87/U.S. 64/U.S. 264 interchange in Knightdale, providing the missing link to complete the 540 loop.

Phase 2 is being constructed in two sections according to the 2024-2033 State Transportation Improvement Program:

• Triangle Expressway extension from I-40/U.S. 70 (future I-42) to south of Rock Quarry Road (R-2829A)
• Triangle Expressway extension from south of Rock Quarry Road to I-540/I-87/U.S. 64/U.S. 264 (R-2829B)

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Read More:

https://www.enr.com/articles/56681-closing-the-loop-north-carolinas-complete-540

https://www.ncdot.gov/projects/complete-540/Pages/default.aspx

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