Raleigh – East End Connector project
work will require the closure of the southbound lanes of the Durham Freeway
overnight on Monday, Feb. 26, between Exit 11 (N.C. 55/Alston Avenue) and Exit 8
(Ellis Road).
Crews will be removing the framework used to put in the new flyover
bridge, so for safety reasons, that southbound section of highway will be closed
between 9 p.m. Monday and 5 a.m. the following Tuesday morning.
Southbound traffic will have to exit onto N.C. 55/Alston Avenue,
turn left on Cornwallis Road and left on T.W. Alexander Drive to get back to the
Durham Freeway at exit seven.
The flyover bridge will link N.C. 147 to a new 3.9-mile divided
highway that will connect to U.S. 70 on the other end. With U.S. 70 also being
upgraded to a freeway between Pleasant Drive and N.C. 98, the connector will
provide a multi-lane interstate connection between I-85, the Durham Freeway and
I-40, with drivers able to continue non-stop on the Triangle Expressway to U.S.
1 south of Cary.
The new highway, expected to be designated Interstate 885, is
expected to open in late 2019, and will help lower congestion on the Durham
Freeway through downtown Durham, and as well as on local roads such as U.S.
15/501, and Roxboro, Mangum, Gregson and Duke streets.
U-0071