RALEIGH - The North Carolina Turnpike Authority (NCTA) is scheduled to open Complete 540 Phase 1, an extension of the Triangle Expressway, to traffic on September 25 at 6:00 a.m. This extension of the Triangle Expressway, also known as Toll N.C. 540, spans from the N.C. 55 Bypass in Apex to the I-40/I-42 interchange in Garner. In anticipation of the opening, NCTA is providing tips and tricks for motorists to get the most out of driving on the new roadway.
Get a NC Quick Pass and Save on Tolls
NC Quick Pass is responsible for the toll collection and customer service for all toll roadways in North Carolina, including the new extension of the Triangle Expressway. A NC Quick Pass account is the easiest and most cost-effective way to pay tolls. Customers with a NC Quick Pass account save 35% on tolls in North Carolina and can pay tolls in 19 states. Sign up for a NC Quick Pass today on ncquickpass.com or by using the NC Quick Pass app. Drivers who do not wish to open an account will receive a toll invoice in the mail at a higher toll rate. Customers can pay online at any time on ncquickpass.com or by using the NC Quick Pass app.
Understand Your Toll Before You Travel
Please use our
Toll Calculator to understand your toll before you travel. A map and toll rates for the entire Triangle Expressway, including the new extension, can be found on our
Roads and Rates page.
Be Aware of Ongoing Construction
After the opening, project contractors will continue working to complete final construction activities at various locations along the Triangle Expressway and cross streets. You can expect to see ongoing work including but not limited to lighting and signage installation, roadway work and work on toll technology with intermittent lane closures.
Bells Lake Road Interchange
Although most interchanges will open on September 25, the eastbound half of the Bells Lake Road interchange (exit 47) will remain closed until November 2024 to provide the time necessary to complete the removal of a project-specific temporary asphalt plant and subsequent construction of the interchange. The westbound portion will open to traffic with the rest of the project on September 25. While the eastbound portion of the Bells Lake Road interchange is closed, you can use either Ten Ten Road or Optimist Farm Road to reach adjacent Toll N.C. 540 interchanges at Holly Springs Road (exit 50) or at U.S. 401 (exit 45) for eastbound access to and from the highway.
Old Stage Road Interchange
The exit ramp from Toll N.C. 540 West to Old Stage Road (exit 43) will remain closed after the initial opening of the extension of the Triangle Expressway to complete final ramp construction activities. The ramp is anticipated to open in November 2024. You can use exit 39 at N.C. 50/Benson Road and then take Ten Ten Road or N.C. 50 to Rock Service Station Road to reach Old Stage Road.
We will continue to provide updates as we approach the completion of these interchanges.
Diverging Diamond Interchange
The Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) at Holly Springs Road is incorporated into the extension of Toll N.C. 540. This innovative interchange allows for smoother and quicker access from Holly Springs Road to the Triangle Expressway, with free-flowing left and right turns. This design enhances safety by eliminating the need for protected or permitted left turns, allowing for a more seamless and safe driving experience.
To assist you with navigating the new traffic pattern, please visit the
The Complete 540 Project
The Complete 540 Project will extend the Triangle Expressway from the N.C. 55 Bypass in Apex to Interstate 87/U.S. 64/U.S. 264 in Knightdale, completing the outer 540 loop around the greater Raleigh area. The Complete 540 project 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, and is scheduled to open to traffic on September 25 at 6:00 a.m. 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 540 loop. To learn more about the Complete 540 Project, visit the project page at
ncdot.gov/complete540.