RALEIGH – Work on the East End Connector project in Durham is going to require the demolition of the South Miami Boulevard ramp bridge in Durham, with a long-term closure of that ramp scheduled to start at 8 p.m. on Thursday, April 26. That means traffic going westbound on U.S. 70 will no longer be able to exit onto South Miami Boulevard near the Woodlawn Memorial Park cemetery.
The closure of the ramp bridge is needed so the contractor can begin prepping for the demolition, which should be next week.
Instead of westbound traffic exiting off U.S. 70 to the left to remain on South Miami Boulevard, drivers will be detoured to the N.C. 98 (Holloway Street) exit, where they can then turn left to get to North Miami Boulevard.
The detour will be in place until roundabouts are built at that location shortly before the updated highway opens for vehicles in the fall of 2019.
The East End Connector is a 3.9-mile divided highway that will connect U.S. 70 to the Durham Freeway. It will also upgrade U.S. 70 to a freeway between Pleasant Drive and N.C. 98.
Once open for traffic, it will provide a multi-lane interstate connection between I-85, the Durham Freeway and I-40 on the east side of Durham, with drivers able to continue non-stop on the Triangle Expressway to U.S. 1 south of Cary.
The new highway, expected to be designated Interstate 885, is intended to help alleviate congestion on the Durham Freeway, and as well as on local roads such as U.S. 15/501, as well as Roxboro, Mangum, Gregson and Duke streets.
Media Contact: Sean L. Williams
919-707-2665
slwilliams13@ncdot.gov