MORRISVILLE — N.C. Department of Transportation contractors plan to close both directions of Interstate 40 at Aviation Parkway this weekend for the demolition of the old parkway bridge.
Crews will close I-40 from Friday at 8 p.m. until Monday at 5 a.m., weather permitting.
The detour for both directions of I-40 will be short as law enforcement will direct two lanes of traffic up and down the on and off ramps in a free-flowing fashion at the Aviation Parkway interchange (Exit 285).
Drivers exiting I-40 West will still be able to turn right on Aviation Parkway to access RDU Airport.
Traffic will also be closed on Aviation Parkway over I-40 for the weekend, between Gateway Centre Boulevard at the entrance to Lake Crabtree Park and RDU Center Drive.
Motorists on I-40 East wishing to access the airport will be directed to exit at Airport Boulevard (Exit 284) and turn left.
Northbound Aviation Parkway traffic toward the airport will be directed to use the newly opened McCrimmon Parkway extension to Airport Boulevard. All lanes into the airport on both Aviation Parkway and Airport Boulevard will remain open.
Traffic heading south on Aviation Parkway from the airport will be directed to use Airport Boulevard or I-540 to access I-40.
Drivers on I-40 West wishing to access Aviation Parkway south of the I-40 interchange have two options during this closure:
- Take Exit 284, turn left onto Airport Boulevard and left onto McCrimmon Parkway to reach Aviation Parkway
- Take Exit 287, turn left onto Harrison Avenue, right onto Weston Parkway and then right onto Evans Road to reach Aviation Parkway.
Closing the interchange for the weekend is anticipated to save one month on the project schedule.
Motorists need to slow down and pay attention as they travel near the work zone and allow extra time to navigate the detours.