First phase of I-540 set to open this spring

Over four years after work began on the Southeast Extension of I-540, construction is nearing completion. The project will open six new lanes on an 18-mile stretch from Holly Springs to Interstate 40 in Garner. When the new road opens in spring 2024, it’s expected to accommodate 70,000 drivers per day.

This is the first phase of completion for the full I-540 Outer Loop around Raleigh. This critical piece of infrastructure is designed to ease traffic on numerous roads throughout the Triangle, including I-440, I-40, I-87, N.C. 42, N.C. 55, and Ten Ten Rd. It’s also expected to connect the communities in eastern and southern Wake County and Johnston County, which have experienced substantial growth, to more economic opportunity and ensure accessibility for the region.

Traffic congestion has long been a complaint of Triangle commuters, particularly surrounding the Research Triangle Park (RTP). Yet as the Raleigh-Durham area has expanded, many of the hot spots for growth have included Johnston and Chatham counties, as well as southern Wake County, which have added to heavier traffic conditions. The expectation is the Southeast Extension will significantly improve mobility for those who live in these smaller communities.

The complete $2.5 billion project, when finished, will extend the Triangle Expressway from Apex into Knightdale and will complete the I-540 Outer Loop. Construction of the second phase will begin shortly after phase one opens. It will expand the expressway an additional 10 miles, starting from Garner at I-40 to the I-540/I-87/U.S. 64/U.S. 264 interchange in Knightdale. It is not expected to be completed until 2028.

When the highway is complete, the six-lane highway will be a tolled, limited access road, allowing drivers to travel at 70 miles per hour. It will provide access to RTP and Durham using I-40, as well as to U.S. 64/U.S. 264 east of Raleigh. That means residents can expect faster commute times and a smoother drive into their business centers.

Data shows residents of Johnston and Chatham Counties tend to largely commute outside of their home communities, which is why the Southeast Extension is good news for many. The United States Census Bureau reports the average commute time for residents of Johnston County is over 30 minutes, and that half of Johnston County residents leave the county for work. Similarly, the vast majority of Chatham County residents commute nearly 30 minutes to work, and 46 percent leave the county for work. For these residents, the extension is expected to cut commute times.

As the highway nears completion, it will expand opportunities for residents looking for homes in smaller communities that also offer convenience to Raleigh and RTP. For instance, residents who want to call a growing town like Fuquay-Varina home while taking advantage of the new expressway can build a custom home at the luxury home community, The Preserves at Holland.

For those willing to wait for the next phase of roadway completion, there will be numerous new opportunities for residents to find a home with an easy commute. For example, Clayton is home to Champion East and Champion West, which features townhomes and single-family homes that will provide quick access to the extended road. Plans are also coming for a townhome community in Garner, Wilmington Place, and a community in Knightdale, Terravita, which will feature single-family homes, townhomes, and duplexes. They will provide residents with new construction options and great locations for the completed I-540.

While the final phase of I-540 is still several years away, there is time to find the right home to meet the needs of residents who commute. By 2040, it’s expected that 200,000 vehicles will use the Southeast Extension daily.

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