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.
The following key construction impacts have been outlined to assist in planning for upcoming closures:
- N.C. 55 Bypass
- September 3 – September 7
- Lake Wheeler Road
- Holly Springs Road
- September 7 – September 9
Understanding that these closures may affect daily routines, additional details are provided below. Drivers should follow the posted signs for the detour routes and use caution when navigating through the area.
N.C. 55 Bypass
Beginning on or around September 3 through September 5, 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 loop 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 the 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 traveling 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 traveling north
Additionally, on September 4 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., the right lane between Old Smithfield Road and East Williams Street along N.C. 55 Bypass South will experience a temporary closure. Access to Toll N.C. 540 West will be maintained throughout the lane closure.
Following these initial closures, on or around September 5 through September 7, the southbound 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 southbound lanes of the N.C. 55 Bypass, and the ramp connection from the southbound lanes of the N.C. 55 Bypass to Toll N.C. 540 West 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 loop 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 loop 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 traveling south
Lake Wheeler Road
Beginning on or around Tuesday, September 3 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Lake Wheeler Road between Chase Hill Way and Optimist Farm Road is scheduled to experience temporary intermittent lane closures. Drivers will see flaggers on the roadway and should use caution when approaching the area.
Holly Springs Road
Beginning on or around Saturday, September 7 at 5:00 a.m. through Monday, September 9 at 5:00 a.m., Holly Springs Road between Sunset Lake Road and Pierce Olive Road is scheduled to temporarily close to through traffic. Drivers should expect delays and should pay close attention when driving along the posted detour route. Drivers are strongly encouraged to avoid the area, if possible. If drivers must be in the area, they are advised to take the detour route by following signs along the roadway.
Drivers wishing to access Holly Springs Road north of the closure:
- Drive north on Holly Springs Road
- Turn right onto Sunset Lake Road
- Turn left onto Optimist Farm Road
- Turn left onto Pierce Olive Road
- Turn right onto Holly Springs Road
Drivers wishing to access Holly Springs Road south of the closure:
- Drive south on Holly Springs Road
- Turn left onto Pierce Olive Road
- Turn right onto Optimist Farm Road
- Turn right onto Sunset Lake Road
- Turn left onto Holly Springs Road
Kildaire Farm Road between Arthur Pierce Road and Holly Springs Road is also expected to close to through traffic during this time. If drivers must be in the area, they are advised to take the detour route by following signs along the roadway.
Drivers wishing to access Holly Springs Road from Kildaire Farm Road:
- Drive south on Kildaire Farm Road
- Turn left onto Arthur Pierce Road
- Turn right onto Holly Springs Road
- Immediately turn left onto Pierce Olive Road
- Turn right onto Optimist Farm Road
- Turn right onto Sunset Lake Road
- Turn left onto Holly Springs Road
Drivers wishing to access Kildaire Farm Road from Holly Springs Road:
- Drive north on Holly Springs Road
- Turn right onto Sunset Lake Road
- Turn left onto Optimist Farm Road
- Turn left onto Pierce Olive Road
- Turn right onto Holly Springs Road
- Immediately turn left onto Arthur Pierce Road
- Turn right onto Kildaire Farm Road
Local access along Holly Springs Road and Kildaire Farm Road will be maintained throughout the scheduled closure. Direct access to Old Center Street and Catherine Place at Holly Springs Road will be closed to all traffic. Residents living on Catherine Place, Wesley Court or in the surrounding area will access Holly Springs Road using Lassiter Road via South Carroll Street and Wooded Acres Street. Residents living on Old Center Street will use Circle Drive and Lockley Road to access Holly Springs Road. Drivers should pay extra attention when navigating the new traffic pattern.
The closures and associated detours above are weather dependent. Drivers should slow down and pay extra attention when navigating the various detour routes.
If drivers have questions or need more information about the project or traffic impacts, they can contact the project team at 1-800-554-7849 or complete540@ncdot.gov.