The N.C. Department of Transportation (NCDOT) and N.C. Turnpike Authority (NCTA) have awarded and signed the final contract for the second phase of the Complete 540 Project​, which will complete the 540 loop around the greater Raleigh area.
The NCDOT and NCTA awarded the $287 million contract to the Branch–S.T. Wooten Joint Venture on Oct. 31 and signed the contract on Nov. 21. All remaining sections of the 540 loop around Raleigh are now either under construction or under contract. Phase 2 of Complete 540 will be built under two separate contracts. The first contract was awarded to the Flatiron-Fred Smith Company Joint Venture on Sept. 1 for nearly $450 million.
Phase 2 of Complete 540 will extend the Triangle Expressway an additional 10 miles from I-40 to existing Interstate 540 at I-87/ U.S. 64/U.S. 264 in Knightdale and complete the 540 loop. Construction for Phase 2 could begin as early as 2024 and is expected to open to traffic in 2028.
Complete 540 is being constructed in two phases. Phases 1 and 2 of Complete 540 will extend the Triangle Expressway 28 miles from the end of the existing Triangle Expressway at N.C. 55 in Apex to Interstate 87/ U.S. 64/U.S. 264 in Knightdale. The extension will complete the outer 540 loop, improving regional network mobility and reducing traffic congestion in the greater Raleigh area. The Triangle Expressway extension will mirror the existing Triangle Expressway as a 70 mph six-lane all-electronic toll facility.
Complete 540 Phase 1 extends the Triangle Expressway 18 miles from N.C. 55 to Interstate 40. Complete 540 Phase 1 is currently under construction and is expected to open to traffic in late spring of 2024.
