RALEIGH –
Planning has been underway for years to improve traffic on Interstate
40 between I-440 (Exit 301) in Raleigh and N.C. 42 (Exit 312) in Clayton. Thanks
to a N.C. Department of Transportation contract, the planning will soon be put
to pavement.
The department recently opened contractor proposals and S.T. Wooten
Corporation of Wilson was awarded the contract at a price of nearly $360
million. They can start work as early as July 30 and are expected to finish by
October 1, 2022.
Utilizing a design-build project delivery concept, the state plans
to add two lanes in each direction to a nearly 12-mile stretch of I-40, between
the merge with I-440 on the south side of Raleigh and N.C. 42 in Johnston
County.
Because of the heavy traffic along that corridor of I-40, no
peak-hour lane closures are planned; although drivers can expect slower speeds
because it will be a work zone.
Most of the work will be done during the nighttime hours between 9
p.m. and 5 a.m., as daytime restrictions are in effect to ease the impact on
travel.
The project will also redesign the I-40 interchange with N.C. 42 in
Johnston County, with a new ramp alignment and traffic pattern. Drivers will be
able to use the exit to access both N.C. 42 and Cleveland Road. The expanded
interchange is expected to alleviate heavy traffic conditions that currently
exist by allowing drivers to access Cleveland Road without going into the N.C.
42 travel lanes.
The design-build concept helps complete projects faster by allowing
the design, environmental permitting, right of way acquisition, utility
relocation and construction to all take place under one contract. That helps the
department lower cost inflation, lessen environmental impacts and by completing
a project faster, reduces construction driving delays for motorists.