RALEIGH – The N.C. Department of Transportation has awarded the second of three contracts for the Complete 540 project in southeastern Wake County.
Complete 540, which is also known as the Southeast Extension, links the Triangle Expressway from the N.C. 55 Bypass in Apex to U.S. 64 in Knightdale. Complete 540 will provide another transportation option for commuters south and east of Raleigh, and people making longer trips through the Triangle region.
On Tuesday, NCDOT awarded a $160 million contract to Flatiron-Branch Civil Joint Venture for the second of three parts of Complete 540. The second project will involve the construction of Complete 540 from east of Pierce Olive Road to east of U.S. 401 (Fayetteville Road) in Wake County. An interchange will be constructed at U.S. 401, one of the corridor’s busiest spots. The highway will be six lanes with a 70 mph speed limit between east of U.S. 401 and I-40.
The first contract for Complete 540 was awarded in late November and involves construction of the extension of the Triangle Expressway from U.S. 401 to I-40.
Construction could begin late this year and the project is expected to open to traffic in 2023.