Complete NC 540 Project

[bob7374]

As for direction signing, NCDOT has changed it on existing NC 540 in the past year. There are no more north/south sections. The outer loop is/will be signed as East the whole way from I-40 near RDU Airport to the I-40/I-42 interchange (and eventually I-87/US 64/US 264) while the inner loop will/is signed as West NC 540 in the other direction.

I'm sorry to hear that.  Having "East I-540" and "East NC 540" at the same interchange is going to be very confusing.  Plus, NC 540 from I-40 to NC 55 is geographically southwest, so it shouldn't be signed east.

IMO, it should be signed:
* I-540 Wast from I-40 @ RDU to US 401, or maybe US 64 / I-87.
* I-540 South from there to I-40 / I-42 / US 70.
* NC 540 West from there to US 1 @ Apex.
* NC 540 North from there to I-40 @ RDU.

I agree, but here is the new signage on the I-540/NC 540 ramp from I-40 East in Durham County from June 2024 Street View: https://maps.app.goo.gl/JTN11KFSBvwni9286

[roadman65]

Hopefully Smithfield will be gone when I-42 gets signed as I-42 won't be going there. Selma would be a great replacement as that's where it will interchange I-95.

Smithfield is holdover from when US 70 did go there prior to the freeway upgrades and truncation of Alternate US 70 in Johnston County.

[jcil4ever]

Hopefully Smithfield will be gone when I-42 gets signed as I-42 won't be going there. Selma would be a great replacement as that's where it will interchange I-95.

Smithfield is holdover from when US 70 did go there prior to the freeway upgrades and truncation of Alternate US 70 in Johnston County.

Selma would match up the signage on the eastern end of the Goldsboro Bypass:

[roadman65]

Considering that NCDOT implemented Benson for I-40 and I-95 as well as Fort Chiswell on I-77, it would be consistent.

[brian440i]

New NC DOT Press Release
Similar to Last Press Release but now has Toll Calculator Link.  Can see cost between the New Exits

https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2024/2024-09-23-get-ready-drive-new-triangle-expressway.aspx

[74/171FAN]

The new section of NC 540 is open.  (https://www.wral.com/video/18-mile-extension-of-nc-540-now-open-for-morning-commuters-wednesday/21641857/(

[LM117]

The new section of NC 540 is open.  (https://www.wral.com/video/18-mile-extension-of-nc-540-now-open-for-morning-commuters-wednesday/21641857/(

NCDOT press release:

https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2024/2024-09-25-triangle-expressway-extension-open.aspx

[The Ghostbuster]

This is the only update Google Maps has at the present time for the opening of the new segment of NC 540: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Raleigh,+NC/@35.6778435,-78.7985458,1370m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m6!3m5!1s0x89ac5a2f9f51e0f7:0x6790b6528a11f0ad!8m2!3d35.7795897!4d-78.6381787!16zL20vMGZ2eWc?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MDkyNC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D.

[LM117]

Another round of upcoming closures.

https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2024/2024-09-27-next-phase-closures-complete-540.aspx

[carbaugh2]

I found these videos of the completed extension. The eastbound video includes travel on the turbine interchange to I-40 West, while the start of the westbound video includes an I-42 1/2-mile advance sign from I-40 West (guessing the contributor started his trip from the NC 42- err, NC 36- exit) with Smithfield and Goldsboro listed as the control cities.

NC 540 East:

NC 540 West:

[74/171FAN]

Seeing NC 55 instead of NC 55 BYP makes me wonder if NCDOT actually finally moved NC 55 onto the bypass.

[Walnut2]

I live in the area and didn't know an I-42 sign was already up on I-40. Shows you how often I get on I-40 West from N.C. 42 instead of the bypass. I'll have to go that way next chance I get and grab a photo...

[The Ghostbuster]

Google Maps has been updated to include the entire NC 55-to-Interstates 40/42 extension of NC 540. Previously, it only included the westbound off and on-ramp at Holly Springs Rd.

[jcil4ever]

I found these videos of the completed extension. The eastbound video includes travel on the turbine interchange to I-40 West, while the start of the westbound video includes an I-42 1/2-mile advance sign from I-40 West (guessing the contributor started his trip from the NC 42- err, NC 36- exit) with Smithfield and Goldsboro listed as the control cities.

Thanks! I was going to post them, but they were taking forever to upload and you beat me to it. I actually started driving from the Cleveland Rd. exit, but close! 😉

I tried again today 🤓 with a cleaner windshield and better angle on the sun and did it as one big loop with the turbine:

[BlueRidge]

Slowly clinching it bit-by-bit. Principal observation: why in God's name did NCDOT only sign Exit 54 westbound as "N.C. 55 Apex?" That is as much a Holly Springs and Fuquay exit as it is Apex.

[74/171FAN]

The US 401 exit is signed for Fuquay.  I guess NCDOT presumes Holly Springs traffic exiting at Holly Springs Rd.

[branched-out]

That's interesting that on I-40 East, the exit numbers for 309 and 310 are out of order.  I get it, since exit 309 should go to the I-42/Clayton Bypass no matter which direction you're going and exit 310 should go to the NC-540 toll road, but I can't immediately think of another place that the exit numbers are out of order.

[jcil4ever]

The US 401 exit is signed for Fuquay.  I guess NCDOT presumes Holly Springs traffic exiting at Holly Springs Rd.

Interestingly, US-401 is signed for Garner eastbound and Fuquay westbound.

[webny99]

Thanks! I was going to post them, but they were taking forever to upload and you beat me to it. I actually started driving from the Cleveland Rd. exit, but close! 😉

I tried again today 🤓 with a cleaner windshield and better angle on the sun and did it as one big loop with the turbine:

Well done, and thanks for sharing! That is a beautiful stretch of highway. A detail I missed at first, but really like is how the names of the crossroads are engraved in the overpasses.

[jcil4ever]

Well done, and thanks for sharing! That is a beautiful stretch of highway. A detail I missed at first, but really like is how the names of the crossroads are engraved in the overpasses.

I agree! Throughout the Triangle Expressway and the Monroe Expressway (BYP US-74 near Charlotte), the NCTA has this fancier aesthetic on bridges and sign supports. At least at some point, these were also the only roads in NC with "full color" message signs, though I only saw the functionality used once or twice. They've got to make it feel fancy if you're paying to drive on it!

You can see the different structures here: the traditional structure on the untolled (kind of) NC-54 exit on 540 West and the fancy structure for the tolled 885 exit on 540 East. 🧐


iPhone

[jcil4ever]

Throughout the Triangle Expressway and the Monroe Expressway (BYP US-74 near Charlotte), the NCTA has this fancier aesthetic on bridges and sign supports. At least at some point, these were also the only roads in NC with "full color" message signs, though I only saw the functionality used once or twice. They've got to make it feel fancy if you're paying to drive on it!
iPhone

For the record, I was driving on NC-74 (Future I-74 / Winston-Salem Northern Beltway Eastern Loop), and it looks like NCDOT is installing the fancier message boards here too...and without a toll! Now to see if they start actually using the fanciness...

Also, I saw warnings about the closures of 40 & 26 as far east as Burlington on 40/85.

[LM117]

Well, that didn't take long. Noise complaints are already being made...

https://www.wral.com/story/you-can-t-do-anything-residents-in-wake-county-neighborhood-upset-with-new-540-extension/21656538/

[brian440i]

Well, that didn't take long. Noise complaints are already being made...

https://www.wral.com/story/you-can-t-do-anything-residents-in-wake-county-neighborhood-upset-with-new-540-extension/21656538/

How much does a Noise Abatement Wall Cost?

Since per News Article - it is not eligible for a Public Funded Wall.
What can they do other than go after developer for a Dirt Mound? topped with Dirt Filled Wood Fence and Thick Shubbery?

Or depending on if within a Town Boundary request % cost equal to property tax of 10 years to assist in building the Wall?

Neighborhood: The Village at Lake Wheeler by D.R. Horton

[hotdogPi]

Noise walls don't work as intended.

[Rothman]

Noise walls are outrageously expensive.  This is due to the time-consuming installation where panels have to individually be slotted into the proper position.

For both sides of an Interstate, can cost up to $8m a mile in my experience.