RALEIGH — The Complete 540 study for the southeast extension of the Triangle Expressway is once again underway following a two-year delay. The Complete 540 project will provide a more direct route and quicker access to RTP, the RDU airport, and major employment and activity centers along NC 540 for rapidly growing communities south and east of Raleigh. Completing 540 will connect the final section of the outer loop from Holly Springs to Knightdale.

 

 

“Based on our 10-year Triangle Mobility Plan, we are focused on completing and rehabilitating roads including 540 that will continue to strengthen and connect our communities.” said Secretary Tony Tata. “This summer, legislation cleared the way for us to complete the necessary environmental studies for all routes and to choose the best route that will allow us to return our focus to this project.”

 

NCDOT has produced a video on the benefits of completing 540. Click on the image below to watch it.

 

 

A law passed by the North Carolina General Assembly in 2011 limited NCDOT’s ability to comply with certain federal requirements. Recently passed legislation repealed that law, allowing the study to move forward.

 

NCDOT has resumed work on the project, and the study will now focus on collecting information about the benefits and impacts of various alternatives. The next step is for NCDOT to present information and maps of the alternatives at the following three public meetings: 

 

Mon., Oct. 14, 2013, 4 – 7 p.m.

Wake Tech Community College

9101 Fayetteville Road

Raleigh, NC 27603

 

Tues., Oct. 15, 2013, 4 – 7 p.m.

Barwell Road Community Center

3935 Barwell Road

Raleigh, NC 27610

 

Wed., Oct. 16, 2013, 6 – 9 p.m.

Holly Springs High School

5329 Cass Holt Road

Holly Springs, NC 27540

 

The purpose of these meetings is to collect additional input from the public regarding the project. Further information will be mailed next week to those communities in the study area.

 

For more information on Complete 540, visit www.ncdot.gov/complete540. Contact the project study team via our toll-free project hotline at (800) 554-7849 or email at [email protected] if you have questions. 

 

About 540

The northern section of 540 is known as I-540 and runs from I-40 in Durham County to U.S. 64/264 in Wake County. The southern section, N.C. 540, begins at I-40 in Durham County and currently ends at N.C. 55 in Holly Springs. This southern section is also referred to as the Triangle Expressway, the state’s first modern toll road.

 

Since opening the section of the Triangle Expressway from Cary to Holly Springs in the western part of Wake County, NCDOT has seen continued growth in ridership and received positive feedback from drivers who are now able to save 20 to 30 minutes on their commutes.

 

Completing the 540 loop will reduce congestion and improve commuter mobility for the fast-growing communities south and east of Raleigh.

 

***NCDOT***