Project Overview and Purpose
Planning and design efforts are underway to improve traffic on a 12-mile stretch of I-40 – from Raleigh to the I-40/N.C. 42 interchange in Clayton – which serves communities in Wake and Johnston counties, connects the region to I-95 and is a primary route to coastal tourism destinations.
An estimated 35.6 million vehicles traveled the roadway in 2015, making the stretch of I-40 subject to congestion and frequent delays – especially in the morning and afternoon rush hours.
With traffic expected to increase 65 percent by 2040, conditions will only worsen – especially around the I-40/N.C. 42 interchange, an area seeing a boom in residential and commercial growth.
Improvements would help ease congestion and delays as well as make travel safer throughout the heavily traveled area and better accommodate traffic due to future growth.
Quick Facts
- Start Date: Fall 2018
- Completion Date: 2022
- Estimated Cost: $330 million
- Project Numbers: I-5111, I-4739
- Affected Counties: Wake
Project Highlights
Planning has been underway for years to improve traffic on I-40 from I-440 (Exit 301) in Raleigh to N.C. 42 (Exit 312) in Clayton.
The N.C. Department of Transportation began seeking input from the public in 2009 and, as design efforts began, held a regulatory coordination meeting with several state and federal agencies in 2011 to consider the purpose and need for the project and to designate design options.
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Follow-up meetings have been held with regulatory agencies, the City of Raleigh and the Town of Garner to determine design constraints and coordinate overlapping plans.
In June 2014 and October 2017, NCDOT held public meetings and sought public feedback on the design options under consideration for widening I-40 and improving the I-40/N.C. 42 interchange.
Project Timeline
2022I-40 widening complete
Fall 2020I-40/N.C. 42 interchange upgrades begin
Late 2018 or early 2019I-40 widening begins
Summer 2018Design-build contract awarded
Late 2017Environmental studies complete
October 2, 2017Public meeting
June 19, 2014Public hearing
