NCDOT Set To Upgrade U.S. 401 In Garner

GARNER, N.C. – A busy stretch of U.S. 401 in the Garner area is set for a major overhaul aimed at easing congestion and improving safety for drivers and pedestrians.

The N.C. Department of Transportation has awarded a nearly $26 million contract to Conti Civil LLC to upgrade more than a mile of Fayetteville Road, from south of Old Stage Road to south of Mechanical Boulevard.

Once complete, the corridor will be widened into a six-lane, median-divided roadway with dedicated turn lanes at key intersections. The project will also introduce what transportation officials call “reduced conflict intersections” and synchronized traffic signals — changes designed to keep traffic moving more efficiently while cutting down on crashes.

One of the biggest changes drivers will notice is the shift away from traditional left turns from side streets. Instead, motorists will use a synchronized system that reroutes those movements in a way that reduces potential collision points. According to NCDOT, that design has been shown to lower accident risks and minimize delays.

Pedestrian safety is also part of the project. Sidewalks and high-visibility crosswalks will be added along the corridor through a cost-sharing agreement between NCDOT and the Town of Garner.

Construction timelines have not yet been announced.