U.S. 1 (Capital Blvd.) North
U.S. 1 (Capital Blvd.) North
The Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) has pursued converting the U.S. 1 (Capital Blvd ) North Corridor to a freeway for several decades. To address continued project delays and cost escalations, CAMPO partnered with the N.C. Turnpike Authority to investigate alternative and innovative methods to fund this project. For more information, please check out the 'Tolling Analysis', 'Frequently Asked Questions' and 'Reference Library' tabs! TAKE THE SURVEY
Why are we here?
Today U.S. 1 is known for excessive road congestion and driving along it takes up substantial amount of time. The project to convert U.S. 1 to a freeway is designed to alleviate this issue and unblock this crucial artery road of the Triangle. Local leaders have explored options to deliver the U.S. 1 (Capital Blvd.) North Upgrades/Freeway project without significant additional delays or cost increases. The tolling options presented show how the different types of tolling project would impact the project delivery and cost. Now they need your help to identify the most important aspects to consider in order to determine the path forward.
History
For decades, CAMPO, local governments, businesses and roadway users have pursued converting the U.S. 1 North corridor to a freeway to help solve congestion issues. As time has gone on, cost estimates for the project have grown exponentially from when it was first included in the State's transportation plan for funding. Timelines for project progress, including construction, have been repeatedly delayed, becoming increasingly unreliable. As recently as February of this year, in the State's draft 10-year plan of transportation projects, the U.S. 1 North project has been delayed again with construction on the first of four segments (Segment A on the map) possibly starting in 2031, at best, and roughly $1 billion over original cost estimates.
Comprised of local elected officials, the CAMPO Executive Board, wanted to find out if there were other viable options to move the project forward. The Board asked the N.C. Turnpike Authority to explore potential options to toll this route in order to accelerate project delivery. In March, the results of the study were presented.
Want to know more about the project design process? Visit NCDOT's U-5307 Webpage.
Public Information Session
Public Information Session
Project Timeline
2001: Included in Regional Plans
Project was included in the 2025 Long Range Transportation Plan and recommended further study to refine the corridor.
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2006: Corridor Study Complete
The Corridor Study was completed and the U.S. 1 Council of Planning was formed.
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2012: U.S. 1 Upgrade Programmed in State Transportation Plan (STIP)
Project (U-5307) programmed in the 2012-2021 STIP with construction starting in 2018 at project cost of $93 million.
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2012: Corridor Study Phase 2 Completed
Phase 2 of the Corridor Study was completed that further refined original plan and extended corridor up to the Franklin/Vance County lines.
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2016: Delayed
The released 2016-2025 STIP delayed project to start in 2021 at a project cost of $269 million.
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2018: Cost Increased
The released 2018-2027 STIP extended project extent from N.C. 98 to Purnell/Harris Road and cost increased to $581 million.
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2020: Delayed
The released 2020-2029 STIP delayed project to start in 2025.
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2024: Delayed & Cost Increase
The released 2024-2033 STIP delayed project to start in 2026 with cost increasing to $772 million.
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2025: Delayed & Cost Increase
The Draft 2026-2033 STIP shows further delays with project start of 2031 and project cost of $1.34 billion.
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2025 Tolling Study
In 2025 the Tolling Study developed several options to fund and ensure project delivery. Public Engagement for these options launched in April 2025