I-40 Widening Nears Completion

A view of the newly widened Interstate 40 looking west (toward Raleigh) atop the N.C. 42 bridge (Exit 312A). All lanes added for this widening project opened September 6, 2024. NCDOT Photo

RALEIGH – All lanes for an Interstate 40 widening project in Wake and Johnston counties fully opened Friday morning, easing congestion for commuters and other visitors to the capital city.

While minor work still needs to be completed, the last segment of modernizing 13 miles of I-40 south of Raleigh was completed Friday. Here’s a run-down of the total number of lanes in each direction now available to drivers:

  • Five lanes between Exits 301-306;
  • Four lanes between Exits 306-312; and
  • Three lanes between Exit 312 and mile marker 314 near the Cornwallis Road overpass in Johnston County.

Before construction, the highway had either two or three lanes in each direction. This corridor is heavily used by commuters, and it’s one of the major gateways into the Triangle.

The project, which began in 2018, also included the replacement of several bridges along this 13-mile stretch; the construction of a new interchange (Exit 312B) at Cleveland Road; and the conversion of the N.C. 42 bridge into a diverging-diamond interchange, which has improved traffic flow. 

Although all lanes are now open, the contractor for the N.C. Department of Transportation building this project still has remaining work to complete, such as installing permanent signs and placing rumble strips and snow-plowable reflective markers. This work may necessitate an occasional nighttime or daytime lane closure in off-peak hours.

The contractor aims to finish by the end of this year.

14 COMMENTS

  1. “and the conversion of the N.C. 42 bridge into a diverging-diamond interchange, which has improved traffic flow. ” Ummm, no it has NOT, NOT AT ALL! It’s an absolute mess up there. Can’t get into and out of any of the businesses on and around 40/42 now! Ruined! Wasn’t broke sure as h*ll didn’t need fixed!

    • I would argue the bridge has helped flow. The amount traffic that’s able to get onto 40 in either direction keeps out of my way. Once all the concrete medians and finish asphalt are laid, your cones and barrels will disappear and you’ll probably notice the same.

      It’s a win.

    • I think it’s a stoplight issue. Jones Sausage has been much easier to navigate, but even that section has issues with waiting at lights for too long.

      If they want to parrot the interchange in Sevierville, TN so much, they need to copy the light pattern too. I don’t remember getting off the interstate just to sit at the light, backing up onto the exit ramp. If the light turns green to turn left, you should be able to flow through the next light.

  2. 40 is going to get even faster (less traffic jams) as I-540 is opening Sept 25, splitting the traffic into Raleigh and RTP. It’ll be like pulling the plug in the bathtub.

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