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Turnpike Projects

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The N.C. Turnpike Authority is authorized by North Carolina General Statute​ to study, plan, develop, build, operate and maintain toll projects. 

All toll projects in North Carolina have been approved and requested by local planning organizations for consideration.​​

Open to Traffic

Triangle Expressway

The 36.8-mile Triangle Expressway (also known as Toll N.C. 540) is a six-lane toll road connecting I-40 near Research Triangle Park to I-40/I-42 near Johnston County. The original Triangle Expressway opened in December 2012 and the latest extension opened in September 2024.

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Monroe Expressway

The 19.8-mile Monroe Expressway (also known as Toll U.S. 74) is a four-lane toll road extending from U.S. 74 near I-485 in eastern Mecklenburg County southeast to U.S. 74 between Wingate and Marshville in Union County. The Monroe Expressway opened in 2018. ​


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I-77 Express Lanes

The project includes approximately 26 miles of dedicated express lanes on I-77. The northern section of the I-77 Express Lanes from Hambright Road near I-485 to N.C. 150 opened June 2019. The southern section from I-277/N.C. 16 (Brookshire Freeway) to Hambright Road opened November 2019. NCTA collects the toll revenue for the I-77 Express Lanes. NCTA is not responsible for the operation or maintenance of the I-77 Express Lanes. The lanes are operated and maintained by I-77 Mobility Partners.​


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Under Construction

Complete 540

N.C. Turnpike Authority’s largest construction project, Complete 540, is being constructed in two phases. Phase 1 extends the Triangle Expressway approximately 18 miles from the existing corridor at N.C. 55 to I-40/I-42. Phase 1 of the Complete 540 project opened to traffic on Sept. 25, 2024. Phase 2 of the project will extend the Triangle Expressway an additional 10 miles from I-40 to the existing I-540/I-87/U.S. 64/U.S. 264 interchange in Knightdale, providing the missing link to complete the outer 540 loop. ​


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I-485 Express Lanes

The I-485 Express Lanes will add one express lane in each direction for approximately 17 miles between I-77 and U.S. 74 in southern Charlotte. The project includes an additional general-purpose lane in each direction from Rea Road to Providence Road. 

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Under Development

Mid-Currituck Bridge

The 7-mile toll project would include a two-lane bridge that spans the Currituck Sound and connects the Currituck County mainland to the Outer Banks. It also includes a second two-lane bridge that spans Maple Swamp on the Currituck County mainland, connecting Aydlett to U.S. 158.  

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U.S. 74 Express Lanes from I-277 to West of Idlewild Road

The proposed 5-mile toll project would convert the existing bus lane in the median of Independence Boulevard (U.S. 74) in Charlotte from I-277 to west of Idlewild Road to express lanes, one in each direction.  ​


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U.S. 74 Express Lanes from West of Idlewild​ Road to I-485

The proposed 6.3-mile toll project would widen and add express lanes, one in each direction, to Independence Boulevard (U.S. 74) from west of Idlewild Road to I-485 in Charlotte.  

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I-77 Express Lanes (I-277/NC 16 (Brookshire Freeway) to S.C. State Line)

The proposed project would widen approximately 11 miles of I-77 to 10 lanes by constructing express lanes from the South Carolina State Line to I-277/NC 16 (Brookshire Freeway) in Charlotte.​​

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1/21/2025 11:26 AM