U.S. 64 Improvements in Apex & Cary

​Project Overview

The N.C. Department of Transportation is investigating options to improve the flow of traffic in Wake County along U.S. 64 and intersecting roadways from just west of Laura Duncan Road in Apex to U.S. 1 in Cary.

In recent years, western Cary, Apex, southwestern Wake County and Chatham County have experienced significant growth, which has contributed to a high volume of commuter traffic passing through the area.

Traffic volumes currently range from more than 40,000 vehicles per day just west of Laura Duncan Road to more than 56,000 vehicles per day at U.S. 1. Those numbers are expected to increase by more than 40 percent by 2040.

Additionally, there were nearly 800 crashes – almost twice the state average for similar highways – in the area between 2012 and 2016. This underscores the congestion issues related to the corridor and safety implications of the stop-and-go nature during the morning and evening rush hours.

Without improvements, the project study area will experience an increase in congestion-related issues.

• Drivers on U.S. 64 will experience longer commutes during morning and evening rush hours.
• Residents in the area will spend more time at stop lights waiting to cross or enter U.S. 64 to travel to nearby shopping destinations, schools, or to their jobs.
• The number of crashes will likely increase.
• Apex High School students walking to and from local restaurants during lunch will also experience more risk while attempting to cross U.S. 64.

Project Funding

This project is listed as Project U-5301 in the N.C. Department of Transportation's State Transportation Improvement Program and is funded for $239.2 million.

*Estimated costs subject to change