RALEIGH – N.C. Department of Transportation contractors are planning several closures this weekend as part of the widening of Interstate 40 from Southeast Raleigh to Clayton.
Beginning Friday at 8 p.m., a lane will be closed on I-40 East from mile marker 306 to 309. For about one-quarter mile, traffic will cross over onto the future I-40 West lanes and bridges over U.S. 70 Business. Drivers will then cross back over onto the eastbound side on travel lanes closer to the median. Doing so will allow crews to safely demolish the existing I-40 East bridges over U.S. 70 Business and construct new ones. Traffic will be in this new pattern by 7 a.m. Saturday and remain shifted through the end of the year.
The loop from U.S. 70 Business West onto I-40 East will also close at 11 p.m. Friday to allow crews to build the new loop and tie into the new temporary traffic pattern described above. A detour will lead drivers to Jones Sausage Road to get onto I-40 East. The loop is expected to reopen by 5 a.m. Monday.
Additionally, the ramp from U.S. 70 East onto I-40 East will close Friday and Saturday nights from 11 p.m. until 6 a.m. the following day. A detour direct drivers to take I-40 West to Jones Sausage Road (Exit 303) turn around and get on I-40 East.
Drivers should allow extra time to navigate the detour and pay attention while driving through the work zone.