RALEIGH - The North Carolina Turnpike Authority is continuing construction of the southern portion of the Complete 540 Project, which will extend the Triangle Expressway (Toll N.C. 540) from N.C. 55 Bypass to Interstate 40.
Beginning on or around June 30 through July 1, the northbound lanes of the N.C. 55 Bypass between Old Smithfield Road and East Williams Street will close each night from 9:00 p.m. through 5:00 a.m. the following morning. The ramp connection from Toll N.C. 540 East to the northbound lanes of the N.C. 55 Bypass, and the loop connection from the northbound lanes of the N.C. 55 Bypass to Toll N.C. 540 West will also temporarily close during this time.
Drivers traveling eastbound on Toll N.C. 540 wishing to access N.C. 55 Bypass North will use the following detour route:
- Drive east on Toll N.C. 540
- Take the exit ramp from Toll N.C. 540 East onto the southbound lanes of te N.C. 55 Bypass
- Make a U-Turn on N.C. 55 Bypass
- Turn right onto Old Smithfield Road
- Turn left onto East Williams Street
- Turn right onto N.C. 55 Bypass to continue travelling north
Drivers wishing to access Toll N.C. 540 West from the northbound lanes of the N.C. 55 Bypass will use the following detour route:
- Drive north on N.C. 55 Bypass
- Turn right onto Old Smithfield Road
- Turn left onto East Williams Street
- Turn left onto N.C. 55 Bypass
- Take the ramp connection from the southbound lanes of the N.C. 55 Bypass to Toll N.C. 540 West
Drivers south of the closure wishing to access the northbound lanes of the N.C. 55 Bypass north of the closure will use the following detour route:
- Drive north on N.C. 55 Bypass
- Turn right onto Old Smithfield Road
- Turn left onto East Williams Street
- Turn right onto N.C. 55 Bypass to continue travelling north
Following the northbound closures, on or around the night of July 2 the southbound lanes of N.C. 55 Bypass will close from 9:00 p.m. through 5:00 a.m. The ramp connection from Toll N.C. 540 West to the southbound lanes of the N.C. 55 Bypass, and the loop connection from the southbound lanes of the N.C. 55 Bypass to Toll N.C. 540 East will also temporarily close during this time.
Drivers wishing to access Toll N.C. 540 West from the southbound lanes of the N.C. 55 Bypass will use the following detour route:
- Drive south on N.C. 55 Bypass
- Turn left onto East Williams Street
- Turn right onto Old Smithfield Road
- Turn right onto N.C. 55 Bypass
- Take the ramp connection from the northbound lanes of the N.C. 55 Bypass to Toll N.C. 540 West
Drivers traveling eastbound on Toll N.C. 540 wishing to access N.C. 55 Bypass South will use the following detour route:
- Drive east on Toll N.C. 540
- Take the exit ramp from Toll N.C. 540 East onto the northbound lanes of the N.C. 55 Bypass
- Drive north on N.C. 55 Bypass
- Turn right onto East Williams Street
- Turn right onto Sportsmanship Way
- Turn right onto N.C. 55 Bypass
- Make a U-turn on N.C. 55 Bypass to travel south
Drivers north of the closure wishing to access the southbound lanes of the N.C. 55 Bypass south of the closure will use the following detour route:
- Drive south on N.C. 55 Bypass
- Turn left onto East Williams Street
- Turn right onto Sportsmanship Way
- Turn right onto N.C. 55 Bypass
- Make a U-turn on N.C. 55 Bypass to continue travelling south
The temporary overnight lane closures and associated detours are weather dependent. Signage will be in place directing motorists through the detour route. Drivers should slow down and pay extra attention when navigating the detour route.
Construction updates for the Complete 540 project can be found by visiting ncdot.gov/projects/complete-540/Pages/planned-construction-activities.aspx.