Purpose and Need

The purpose of the project is to relieve peak hour congestion on I-40 such that a Level of Service (LOS) D or better can be maintained for the 2040 build condition. The project will also improve the traffic flow and continuity between the existing eight-lane section at the beginning of the project (I-85) and the six-lane section at the end of the project (Durham County Line). Daily commuters between points west of I-85 and U.S. 15-501 should also experience fewer delays.

*Level of Service :  The relationship of travel demand compared to the roadway capacity determines the level of service (LOS) of a roadway.

   CONSTRUCTION UPDATE   

May 2026

• Work is taking place in the median near the I-40 bridge over Old N.C. 86 to finish the permanent road and bridge barrier rail.

  • Most other work is taking place on the outside shoulders, ramps, and intersecting roads.

• Work on the I-40 EB bridge over Millhouse Rd is nearing completion. Traffic will be shifted onto the new portion of the bridge this summer.

• The new NC 86 ramp to I-40 WB will be activated this summer. The new ramp is located at the N.C. 86 and Whitfield Rd intersection.

  • Once the new ramp is open, the old ramp will be closed so the new I-40 WB loop to N.C. 86 can be completed.

• 3-week ramp closures at Old N.C. 86 and New Hope Church Rd will resume in June.

  • Notices will be provided before each ramp closure once exact dates are determined for the closures.

• Orange Grove Rd over I-40 will be closed for a weekend then reopened in a single lane pattern for two weeks in June.

  • Notices will be provided before the closure once exact dates are determined.

• Concrete Batch Plant that is located at I-40 and NC-86 intersection is operational and producing concrete for the concrete pavement operation

  • . Over 95,000 cubic yards of concrete have been batched so far.

• The contractor has installed over 80 drainage pipes under I-40. Due to the presence of rock, numerous runs required a hand tunneling method to be used. Some of the pipes are as large as 9 feet tall.

THE TRAVELING PUBLIC SHOULD BE AWARE OF CONSTRUCTION TRAFFIC ENTERING AND EXITING ALONG THE CORRIDOR. 

Photos from the Project - May 2026:

Map showing location of new N.C. 86 Ramp                                   Image of Construction work on New N.C. 86 Ramp

     
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Public Involvement

Public Meetings

The first public meeting was held in June 2014.

The second public meeting was held in January 2019.

Public Meeting Comment Summary

Public Meeting Maps   

(Updated to show Potential Noise Abatement Areas)

Map 1:  I-40 at I-85  

Map 2:  Old N.C. 86 Vicinity

Map 3:  New Hope Church Rd Vicinity

Map 4:  N.C. 86 Vicinity

Map 5:  Sunrise Rd Vicinity

Map 6:  Erwin Rd Vicinity

         PROJECT CONTACT INFORMATION 

Malcolm Watson, PE 

  Project Engineer

      NCDOT Design-Build Unit

1595 Mail Service Center 

Raleigh, NC  27699-1595

        i-40-orange-county@PublicInput.com

         Project Phone:   984-205-6615   code:  3714

Title VI Feedback

To ensure we’re hearing from a broad set of voices, would you be willing to share (completely anonymously) some information about yourself?

If so, please click here: https://publicinput.com/ncdot-title-vi-form
 

RESOURCES FOR PROPERTY OWNERS 

Although the N.C. Department of Transportation works to minimize the number of homes and businesses displaced by a road project, it is inevitable, in many cases, that a certain amount of private property is needed. The following information explains right of way acquisition and answers questions about the process.  

     
Right-of-Way Brochure Single Page Layout      Folleto del Proceso de Adquisición de Bienes Raíces
Right-of-Way Frequently Asked Questions

Right of way Acquisition Process Videos

English                                                                     Spanish

Page Last Updated- April 28 2026