DURHAM -- The N.C. Department of Transportation will temporarily close the ramp from southbound Interstate 540 to Interstate 40 East and West beginning at 9 tonight.
The ramp will remain closed until Monday at 6 a.m., weather permitting.
The closure is necessary for the construction of an additional lane on both I-540 South and I-40 West. The new outer lane will begin south of the Pleasant Grove Church Road overpass on I-540 and continue onto I-40 West, ending at the Page Road exit.
The project will help alleviate backups on I-540 South, where there is now a single lane for vehicles exiting onto both I-40 East and West. The I-40 portion of the project will improve traffic flow and the safety of westbound motorists who are exiting at Page Road.
A $7.6 million contract was awarded to Fred Smith Company of Raleigh for this project, which is partially funded by the federal stimulus package, in February. The entire project is scheduled to be completed by Nov. 15.
The contract also calls for the resurfacing of seven miles of I-40 from just east of the Durham Freeway (N.C. 147) to east of I-540. This pavement preservation project will help extend the life of the existing roadway, halting deterioration and preventing the need for more expensive repairs in the future.
During construction, a signed detour route will be in place for motorists traveling on I-540 South to both directions of I-40. Motorists will stay on I-540 past I-40, where it becomes N.C. 540. They will then take N.C. 54 West (Exit 69) toward Chapel Hill and follow it onto Miami Boulevard to access I-40.
NCDOT reminds motorists to watch signs for construction information, stay alert and obey the posted speed limit. Updated travel information is also available by calling 511 or online at www.ncdot.gov/travel. In addition, NCDOT now offers travel information on Twitter.
For more information on this project, please contact the resident engineer at (919) 733-9499.
