Complete NC 540 Project

[sprjus4]

I look forward to Interstate/NC 540's completion, estimated in 2028. I would agree with those who say the beltway should've been Interstate/NC 640. However, that designation will have to be applied to another roadway, if it ever happens.

Should've been, but it's fine as is now. It will be and remain as 540.

[bob7374]

I look forward to Interstate/NC 540's completion, estimated in 2028. I would agree with those who say the beltway should've been Interstate/NC 640. However, that designation will have to be applied to another roadway, if it ever happens.

Should've been, but it's fine as is now. It will be and remain as 540.

With the designating of I-685 along US 421 there may be another attempt to get an interstate designation for US 1 between Raleigh and Sanford, perhaps that could be I-640.

[sprjus4]

I look forward to Interstate/NC 540's completion, estimated in 2028. I would agree with those who say the beltway should've been Interstate/NC 640. However, that designation will have to be applied to another roadway, if it ever happens.

Should've been, but it's fine as is now. It will be and remain as 540.

With the designating of I-685 along US 421 there may be another attempt to get an interstate designation for US 1 between Raleigh and Sanford, perhaps that could be I-640.

That, or a southern extension of I-87.

[The Ghostbuster]

I'd prefer it be an extension of Interstate 87. If it were to become a 3di, I'd prefer Interstate 340. Regardless, I think any potential Interstate designation should start at the NC 42 interchange (Exit 66).

[bob7374]

NCDOT announces weekend closures on Holly Springs and Kildaire Farm Roads as part of transitioning to the new alignment through the Holly Springs Road interchange with future NC 540, the interchange will be a DDI:
[ur]https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2024/2024-05-31-temporary-road-closure-540.aspx[/url]

[jcil4ever]

Well, we have an opening date!......for pedestrians....

For one day only, runners and cyclists can take over new stretch of Triangle Expressway

540 Fest Registration

[jcil4ever]

Well, we have an opening date!......for pedestrians....

For one day only, runners and cyclists can take over new stretch of Triangle Expressway

540 Fest Registration

Some additional drone/chopper video here, but still just a "summer" opening date:

540 Fest planned ahead of Triangle Expressway opening to drivers



iPhone

[jcil4ever]

Sorry, it seems like this week is 540 coverage week! I feel like this is the most helpful article and even answers a question I posted a little while back about why some of the driving surface is asphalt while most is concrete.

After years of construction, new Wake County highway goes quiet before it opens

Article with no paywall.

[Henry]

Guess it won't be too long before we see I-42 connect to the big interchange either...

[Dirt Roads]

Guess it won't be too long before we see I-42 connect to the big interchange either...

Actually, most of US-70 (Future I-42) is already connected into the "Super Turbine", much of it completed since the start of this year.  The only connection missing (right now) if from US-70 westbound -to- I-40 [southbound].  If I recall correctly, that movement remains closed until that portion of the turbine is completed over top of I-40.

[snowc]

Well, we have an opening date!......for pedestrians....

For one day only, runners and cyclists can take over new stretch of Triangle Expressway

540 Fest Registration

Some additional drone/chopper video here, but still just a "summer" opening date:

540 Fest planned ahead of Triangle Expressway opening to drivers



iPhone

I can confirm this with chopper going by neighborhood.

[bob7374]

Well, we have an opening date!......for pedestrians....

For one day only, runners and cyclists can take over new stretch of Triangle Expressway

540 Fest Registration

Some additional drone/chopper video here, but still just a "summer" opening date:

540 Fest planned ahead of Triangle Expressway opening to drivers



iPhone

The Raleigh N&O article on the 540 Fest said NCDOT officials hoped for a late July or August opening.

[snowc]

Well, we have an opening date!......for pedestrians....

For one day only, runners and cyclists can take over new stretch of Triangle Expressway

540 Fest Registration

Some additional drone/chopper video here, but still just a "summer" opening date:

540 Fest planned ahead of Triangle Expressway opening to drivers



iPhone

The Raleigh N&O article on the 540 Fest said NCDOT officials hoped for a late July or August opening.

Looking more of an August 15th opening rather than October 15

[bob7374]

More fun with NC 55 Bypass ramp closures in anticipation of the opening of the next segment of NC 540:
https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2024/2024-06-12-temporary-ramp-closures-540.aspx

[LM117]

More fun with NC 55 Bypass ramp closures in anticipation of the opening of the next segment of NC 540:
https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2024/2024-06-12-temporary-ramp-closures-540.aspx

Another round of NC-55 Bypass ramp closures.

https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2024/2024-06-18-temporary-ramp-closures-540.aspx

[snowc]

Meanwhile, in NC 540 land
FULL ARTICLE HERE

WAKE COUNTY, N.C. (WNCN) — Thousands of people got their first look at the southern expansion of N.C. 540 in southern Wake County this weekend.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation hosted "540 Fest" Saturday morning along the future stretch of the Triangle Expressway near U.S. 401 in southern Wake County. It included a 5K run and 10K time trial bike race, along with food and other fun activities. 

The festival was a celebration of the soon-to-be-completed first phase of N.C. 540 running from N.C. 55 to Interstate 40.

"This is giving back to the community a little bit and saying thank you and letting people come out and actually see the road," said JJ Eden, executive director of the North Carolina Turnpike Authority.

MORE FROM CBS 17

Looks like its a SOFT opening. NOT open yet, but see below.
The N.C. Turnpike Authority says phase one should open in August. is the ESTIMATED opening!

[Great Lakes Roads]

An update on the project as of July 2024...

[rickmastfan67]

This news report is saying in August.

[Henry]

I've read somewhere that the remainder of the loop (from I-40 to I-87) will begin construction immediately after the southern extension is open, and the whole thing should be completed in four years. Even with that awkward 540 numbering, it's going to be a great addition to the Raleigh freeway network.

[cowboy_wilhelm]

There was a groundbreaking ceremony in May. Construction should already be underway or close to starting.

[architect77]

I look forward to Interstate/NC 540's completion, estimated in 2028. I would agree with those who say the beltway should've been Interstate/NC 640. However, that designation will have to be applied to another roadway, if it ever happens.

Should've been, but it's fine as is now. It will be and remain as 540.

You are so certain about I-540. Ain't no way a prolific road-building state like NC will keep a completed loop as I-540/NC540. The 1992 original project stated it would become I-640 and now NC640. It's so logical.

You must love the 540 designation as you have stated repeatedly in no uncertain terms that the 540 designation will never be changed. I'm so perplexed as how any one person could/would say or know this.

[74/171FAN]

I look forward to Interstate/NC 540's completion, estimated in 2028. I would agree with those who say the beltway should've been Interstate/NC 640. However, that designation will have to be applied to another roadway, if it ever happens.

Should've been, but it's fine as is now. It will be and remain as 540.

You are so certain about I-540. Ain't no way a prolific road-building state like NC will keep a completed loop as I-540/NC540. The 1992 original project stated it would become I-640 and now NC640. It's so logical.

You must love the 540 designation as you have stated repeatedly in no uncertain terms that the 540 designation will never be changed. I'm so perplexed as how any one person could/would say or know this.

I am pretty sure that this post explains why it will stay I-540/NC 540 very well.

[LM117]

Upcoming closure at US-401 & Donny Brook Road.

https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2024/2024-07-11-temporary-closure-540.aspx

[architect77]

I look forward to Interstate/NC 540's completion, estimated in 2028. I would agree with those who say the beltway should've been Interstate/NC 640. However, that designation will have to be applied to another roadway, if it ever happens.

Should've been, but it's fine as is now. It will be and remain as 540.

You are so certain about I-540. Ain't no way a prolific road-building state like NC will keep a completed loop as I-540/NC540. The 1992 original project stated it would become I-640 and now NC640. It's so logical.

You must love the 540 designation as you have stated repeatedly in no uncertain terms that the 540 designation will never be changed. I'm so perplexed as how any one person could/would say or know this.

I am pretty sure that this post explains why it will stay I-540/NC 540 very well.

Ok. Well I'll bet $1,000 that the moment it becomes a complete loop in 2028 it is renamed I-x40/NCx40.

Soft decisions 22-30 years ago about a loop 40 years in the future are worthless. Get real. NCDOT isn't going to have a complete, independent loop named incorrectly that would mislead travelers from the rest of the US who depend on the numeric designation to let them know what it does, where it goes.---Locals already know that it's a loop around Raleigh with access to every major road on all sides.

And all of the reasoning listed is moot. I-495 no more. Face it, with NC adding more and more red,white,& blue interstate designations, many in the Triangle, the need to distinguish a complete loop from every other linear interstate is greater than ever. The switch from interstate to tolled state road isn't more than letters on signs. It is a continuous loop, a single entity.

If anything the Beltline shouldn't be I-440, it isn't an independent loop, just a old bypass borrowing some of I-40. The completed outer loop may not get 640 but both free/tolled with get an even beginning number. I'm 55 yrs. old and I grew up in NC. With all the minutia y'all get into with this stuff, you ought to be wanting this highway to follow the naming conventions just like all the others you discuss. Geez.

[webny99]

Get real. NCDOT isn't going to have a complete, independent loop named incorrectly that would mislead travelers from the rest of the US who depend on the numeric designation to let them know what it does, where it goes.

LOL, I wish this was the case, but it is sadly far from reality in terms of DOT decision making. It's much easier, less expensive, and less likely to attract negative publicity for them not to bother with planning and implementing a renumbering just to make it fit the numbering convention.