RALEIGH- The North Carolina Turnpike Authority is continuing construction of the southern portion of the Complete 540 Project, which will extend the Triangle Expressway (Toll N.C. 540) from N.C. 55 Bypass to Interstate 40.
The following key construction impacts have been outlined to assist in planning and navigating through upcoming closures:
- N.C. 55 Bypass
- September 9 – September 15
- True Love Drive
- West Lake Road
- September 14 – September 15
Please see the additional details below with more information about each closure. Drivers should follow the posted signs for the detour routes and use caution when navigating through the area.
N.C. 55 Bypass
Beginning on or around September 9 through September 12, the northbound lanes of the N.C. 55 Bypass between Old Smithfield Road and East Williams Street will close each night from 9:00 p.m. through 5:00 a.m. the following morning. The loop connection from Toll N.C. 540 East to the northbound lanes of the N.C. 55 Bypass, and the loop connection from the northbound lanes of the N.C. 55 Bypass to Toll N.C. 540 West will also temporarily close during this time.
Drivers traveling eastbound on Toll N.C. 540 wishing to access N.C. 55 Bypass North will use the following detour route:
- Drive east on Toll N.C. 540
- Take the exit ramp from Toll N.C. 540 East onto the southbound lanes of the N.C. 55 Bypass
- Make a U-turn on N.C. 55 Bypass
- Turn right onto Old Smithfield Road
- Turn left onto East Williams Street
- Turn right onto N.C. 55 Bypass to continue traveling north
Drivers wishing to access Toll N.C. 540 West from the northbound lanes of the N.C. 55 Bypass will use the following detour route:
- Drive north on N.C. 55 Bypass
- Turn right onto Old Smithfield Road
- Turn left onto East Williams Street
- Turn left onto N.C. 55 Bypass
- Take the ramp connection from the southbound lanes of the N.C. 55 Bypass to Toll N.C. 540 West
Drivers south of the closure wishing to access the northbound lanes of the N.C. 55 Bypass north of the closure will use the following detour route:
- Drive north on N.C. 55 Bypass
- Turn right onto Old Smithfield Road
- Turn left onto East Williams Street
- Turn right onto N.C. 55 Bypass to continue traveling north
Following the northbound closure, on or around September 12 through September 15, the southbound lanes of the N.C. 55 Bypass between Old Smithfield Road and East Williams Street will close each night from 9:00 p.m. through 5:00 a.m. the following morning. The ramp connection from Toll N.C. 540 East to the southbound lanes of the N.C. 55 Bypass, and the ramp connection from the southbound lanes of the N.C. 55 Bypass to Toll N.C. 540 West will also temporarily close during this time.
Drivers wishing to access Toll N.C. 540 West from the southbound lanes of the N.C. 55 Bypass will use the following detour route:
- Drive south on N.C. 55 Bypass
- Turn left onto East Williams Street
- Turn right onto Old Smithfield Road
- Turn right onto N.C. 55 Bypass
- Take the loop connection from the northbound lanes of the N.C. 55 Bypass to Toll N.C. 540 West
Drivers traveling eastbound on Toll N.C. 540 wishing to access N.C. 55 Bypass South will use the following detour route:
- Drive east on Toll N.C. 540
- Take the exit loop from Toll N.C. 540 East onto the northbound lanes of the N.C. 55 Bypass
- Drive north on N.C. 55 Bypass
- Turn right onto East Williams Street
- Turn right onto Sportsmanship Way
- Turn right onto N.C. 55 Bypass
- Make a U-turn on N.C. 55 Bypass to travel south
Drivers north of the closure wishing to access the southbound lanes of the N.C. 55 Bypass south of the closure will use the following detour route:
- Drive south on N.C. 55 Bypass
- Turn left onto East Williams Street
- Turn right onto Sportsmanship Way
- Turn right onto N.C. 55 Bypass
- Make a U-turn on N.C. 55 Bypass to continue traveling south
True Love Drive
Beginning on or around September 11 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. True Love Drive off of Bells Lake Road is scheduled to temporarily close to through traffic for waterline installation. Local access along True Love Drive will be maintained throughout the scheduled closure. Drivers are strongly encouraged to plan to avoid the area, if possible. If drivers must be in the area, they are advised to take the detour route by following signs along the roadway.
Drivers wishing to access True Love Drive will use the following detour route:
- Drive south on Bells Lake Road
- Turn right onto Optimist Farm Road
- Turn right onto Forester Lane
- Turn right onto True Love Drive
West Lake Road
Beginning on or around 5:00 a.m. Saturday, September 14 through 9:00 p.m. Sunday, September 15, West Lake Road between Jamison Park Drive and Langston Circle is scheduled to temporarily close to through traffic for asphalt paving operations. Local access along West Lake Road will be maintained throughout the scheduled closure. Drivers are strongly encouraged to plan to avoid the area, if possible. If drivers must be in the area, they are advised to take the detour route by following signs along the roadway.
Drivers wishing to access West Lake Road north of the closure will use the following detour route:
- Drive east on Optimist Farm Road
- Turn left onto Bells Lake Road
- Turn left onto Ten Ten Road
- Turn left onto West Lake Road
Drivers wishing to access West Lake Road south of the closure will use the following detour route:
- Drive east on Ten Ten Road
- Turn right onto Bells Lake Road
- Turn right onto Optimist Farm Road
- Turn right onto West Lake Road
The closures and associated detours above are weather dependent. Drivers should slow down and pay extra attention when navigating the various detour routes.
If drivers have questions or need more information about the project or traffic impacts, they can contact the project team at 1-800-554-7849 or complete540@ncdot.gov.