MORRISVILLE – N.C. Department of Transportation contract crews have reached a significant milestone on the project to improve the Interstate 40 interchange at Aviation Parkway.
On Sunday afternoon, traffic is scheduled to shift onto the western half of the new Aviation Parkway bridge over I-40. The eastern half of the bridge will be built after the old bridge is removed.
At this same time, the ramp from I-40 East to Aviation Parkway (Exit 285) and the loop from southbound Aviation Parkway to I-40 East will reopen, nearly two weeks ahead of schedule. The ramp and loop had been closed since Feb. 16 as tie-ins were made to the new bridge alignment.
Also opening will be the new exit loop from I-40 West to southbound Aviation Parkway. Instead of everyone wanting to access Aviation Parkway sharing the same exit ramp, drivers wanting to go south will pass under the Aviation Parkway bridge and immediately exit to the right onto the new loop. There will be a traffic signal at the end of the loop ramp, but both lanes of traffic will be able to make a right turn only onto the southbound lanes.
Northbound drivers heading toward RDU Airport will exit the same way they have been using a free-flow lane onto Aviation Parkway.