RALEIGH - Last year’s opening of
Complete 540 Phase 1 has been named as a finalist for a national transportation award, and North Carolina could win $10,000 for a charity or scholarship fund with enough online votes.
The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) named the N.C. Turnpike Authority’s (NCTA) work on Complete 540 Phase 1, or the latest extension of the Triangle Expressway (Toll N.C. 540), as one of the “Top 12" projects in the 2025
America's Transportation Awards.
The Top 12 are eligible for two top prizes - the Grand Prize, awarded by a panel of judges, and the People's Choice Award, which is determined by an
online vote from the public. Winners will be awarded $10,000 to a charity or scholarship fund of their choice.
How to Vote
Anyone can vote for Complete 540 Phase 1 as part of the People's Choice Award. Just visit
America's Transportation Awards to cast your vote. Everyone can vote once per day, per device, every day, until the competition closes at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, November 17.
Complete 540 Phase 1
This latest expansion of the Triangle Expressway adds roughly 18 miles to the existing route, stretching from N.C. 55 to the I-40/U.S. 70 interchange (future I-42). This new segment officially opened to traffic on Sept. 25, 2024. This fully electronic toll road offers uninterrupted travel between southern Wake County and key highways including I-40 and U.S. 401. The extension incorporates advanced traffic management systems, environmentally sustainable practices and modern interchange configurations to enhance safety and travel efficiency for both local drivers and long-distance travelers. Since the Triangle Expressway Extension opened last year, 1.44 million people have taken advantage of the time savings offered by the new roadway.
About the North Carolina Turnpike Authority (NCTA)
To help keep pace with the transportation needs of the state, NCTA plays a critical role by studying, planning, developing and building toll facilities on behalf of communities that request them. With innovation and customer-centered service at its core, the Triangle Expressway was the first toll road in the country to utilize all-electronic tolling technology from inception.