​ ​​Planning and development are underway to improve traffic congestion and travel times on Capital Boulevard (U.S. 1) between I-540 in Raleigh and Purnell/Harris roads in Wake Forest.

The proposed project would convert the road from a four-lane, median-divided roadway with partial access control (private driveways and side streets) to a six-lane controlled-access highway with interchanges. 

Controlled access means ramps at interchanges would provide entry onto the roadway, cross streets could have overpasses built over them, and private driveways would be prohibited.​

This project is currently included as a non-tolled option in the draft 2026-2035 S​tate Transportation Improvement Program, or STIP, which is scheduled for adoption in the summer of 2025. Preliminary engineering (environmental studies, design work, evaluating different design options and public outreach) has been completed, and a preferred option has been selected to enhance traffic flow and reduce congestion.​

The Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) submitted a formal request in January 2024 asking the N.C. Turnpike Authority (NCTA) to study the potential use of tolling on Capital Boulevard/U.S. 1 to accelerate delivery of the project.

NCTA presented initial findings of the tolling analysis at the March 2025 CAMPO Executive Board meeting, with the final study being completed and released in April 2025. At its meeting on March 19, 2025 the CAMPO Executive Board authorized the opening of a public engagement period to receive feedback on the tolling analysis. At its May 2025 meeting, the CAMPO Executive Board approved tolling option 2 (tolled expressway), which will require legislative changes to move forward.​