For funding purposes, the widening of I-95 was originally divided into two sections:
- From I-95 Business/U.S. 301 (Exit 56) to Long Branch Road (Exit 71) in Harnett County (STIP I-5896A)
- From Long Branch Road (Exit 71) to I-40 (Exit 81) in Johnston County (STIP I-5896B)
However, N.C. Department of Transportation officials in 2020 expanded the scope of work to include replacing a culvert under Murphy Road with a bridge spanning Reese Creek near Exit 55 to help alleviate future flooding on I-95.
Although the interstate will be expanded to a total of eight lanes between exits 56-81, the southbound improvements will taper off toward Exit 55, which is less than a mile away from Exit 56. Thus, the boundaries for Segment A of the project are generally referred to as between Exits 55-71.
The work will include the following:
- Improvements to I-95 interchanges with Bud Hawkins Road (Exit 70) and Long Branch Road (Exit 71) in Harnett County
- Improvements to I-95 interchanges with Pope Road/Spring Branch Road (Exit 72) and U.S. 421 (East Cumberland Street) (Exit 73) in Harnett County
- Improvements to I-95 interchanges with Jonesboro Road (Exit 75) and Hodges Chapel Road (Exit 77)
Viewed together, the projects would result in the following improvements:
- I-95 would be widened to a total of eight lanes between Exits 56 and 81. (There are currently four lanes.)
- Interchanges along the project would be upgraded to meet modern design standards.
- Overpass bridges between Baywood Road in Cumberland County and N.C. 50 (Exit 79) would be replaced.
- Bridges on I-95 at Black River in Cumberland County and U.S. 421 in Harnett County would be replaced.
- Service roads would be realigned to allow for I-95 widening and to meet current standards.
- Roundabouts would be added at some interchanges to minimize impacts to nearby properties.
- A new overpass bridge would be built at South Market Street and Cub Road in Benson.
- Bicycle and/or pedestrian accommodations would be added to some overpass bridges.