Interactive Project Study Area Map

Project Overview

NCDOT Division 5 is working on a project to improve 2.3 miles of I-40 in Wake County. The proposed improvements would add one travel lane in each direction between Aviation Parkway (S.R. 1002) Exit 285 and Harrison Avenue (S.R. 1652) Exit 287. This section of I-40 has high traffic volumes. The addition of this travel lane (also called an auxiliary lane) will provide increased distance for vehicles to change lanes (if needed) between the on and off ramps. The purpose of the project is to provide additional acceleration and deceleration distance between ramps to improve traffic operations along I-40 between Aviation Parkway, Exit 285 and Harrison Avenue, Exit 287. 

Project Highlights

The Public Meeting Map illustrates the preliminary design for the proposed project which is subject to change as coordination and development continues. Traffic will be maintained along I-40 during construction. Traffic along Old Reedy Creek Road (S.R. 1795) (which crosses I-40) will be maintained via a temporary detour route/new temporary bridge. 

The proposed improvements are symmetric at each end of the project, adjacent to existing I-40 with a slight shift in the I-40 westbound alignment to the north (near Old Reedy Creek Road) to accommodate maintenance of traffic during construction. Shifting I-40 to the south was considered instead of shifting to the north; however, it was eliminated from further evaluation due to encroachment/modification within the Crabtree Creek Watershed Project boundary (to avoid impacts to Lake Crabtree's storage capacity) in addition to the increased impacts it would have to be the dam area at Lake Crabtree, the Town of Cary's bridge carrying Old Reedy Creek Road over Crabtree Creek, Lake Trail, Black Creek Greenway, and future development plans on the current RDU Airport Authority property along the south side of I-40. In addition, ROW acquisition would be required from the Town of Cary at the Reclamation Facility if the alignment was shifted to the south. Other potential design variations were determined not to be feasible since traffic was not able to be maintained during construction along I-40. 

Shifting I-40 to the south was evaluated. However, that option was not selected because it would have:

• Increased impacts within the Crabtree Creek Watershed and reduced the storage capacity of Lake Crabtree.
• Affected the Lake Crabtree dam area.
• Increased impacts to the Town of Cary's bridge carrying Old Reedy Creek Road over Crabtree Creek.
• Impacted the Lake Trail, Black Creek Greenway and future development planned for the RDU Airport Authority property on the south side of I-40.
• A southern shift of the I-40 alignment would have required additional right-of-way from the Town of Cary at the Reclamation Facility.

Other design options were also evaluated but were eliminated because traffic along I-40 could not be maintained during construction.

Project History

The project is included in the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) 2055 Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) as I-40 Corridor Improvements. The Comprehensive Transportation Plan (CTP) is currently under development. 

Bridge No. 101 on Old Reedy Creek Road crosses I-40 and serves as a vital link for two residential properties, cyclists and pedestrians. It supports key routes like the East Coast Greenway State Trail, the Carolina Connection (U.S. Bike Route 1), greenway trails and the planned Triangle Bikeway while connecting Lake Crabtree County Park and William B. Umstead State Park.

Future plans aim to improve bicycle and pedestrian access. The Great Trails State Plan proposes a shared-use path along Old Reedy Creek Road. The 2050 CAMPO MTP includes an off-road bike facility next to I-40 and greenways crossing and running alongside the freeway. Both CAMPO and the Great Trails State Plan also propose the Triangle Bikeway, a shared-use path within the I-40 corridor. Additionally, the Town of Cary's 2023 Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources Master Plan includes greenway facilities along Old Reedy Creek Road.

Public Meeting

This virtual meeting is intended to be solely for property owners who have received an invitation in the mail due to their proximity to the project. This invitation-only virtual public meeting is scheduled for: Tuesday, July 30, 2026 from 2-3 p.m. 

Use the following link to join meeting. 

Meeting ID: 298 934 187 695 034
Passcode: QC79gd9D

​Prefer to listen to the meeting?

Call: 410-801-9756
Enter code: 276671194#

Project Maps

To view or download the project meeting maps, click the links below.

• Roll 1 - I-40 in Wake County from Aviation Parkway to west of Old Reedy Creek Road
• Roll 2 - I-40 in Wake County from west of Old Reedy Creek Road to Harrison Avenue
• Roll 3 - Temporary Detour Route/Bridge for Old Reedy Creek Road over I-40 in Wake County

Project Funding

*Estimated costs are based on preliminary design and are subject to change.

Project Timeline

*Subject to change

Project Comments

NCDOT accepts comments throughout all phases of project development.  

All comments will be taken into consideration, and carry equal weight, regardless of submittal method. 

The public is encouraged to leave comments using this webpage, email, or phone number:

Email: i5966-i40@publicinput.com

Phone Number:  984-205-6615    enter project code 11200 to leave a message

Project Contact Information

Zahid M Baloch, PE 

Project Manager

NCDOT Division 5

1573 Mail Service Center

Raleigh, NC 27699-1573

Project Contact Information

Kristina Miller, PE 

Consultant Project Manager

RK&K

8601 Six Forks Road, Forum 1, Suite 700

Raleigh, NC 27615

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: July 9, 2026

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