Final touches on complete 540 project could be disrupted by Tropical Storm Debby

Barring any delays from Tropical Storm Debby, the next phase of the Complete 540 project is set to open to drivers at the end of the month.

However, if the storm causes delays, the official opening might be postponed.

“Our biggest concern is safety,” Logen Hodges, NC Turnpike Authority said. “We don’t want to open this project if we’re not completely confident that this is going to be a safe route for folks.”

North Carolina Department of Transportation officials told WRAL that the ribbon cutting for the 18-mile stretch of the Southern Wake Expressway is set for Aug. 27. It is expected to fully open to traffic the following day at 6 a.m.

The section, which is dubbed Phase 1, will extend the existing Triangle Expressway (N.C. Toll 540) between N.C. 55 Bypass and I-40.

With our area expecting anywhere from 4 to 8 inches of rain in the next couple of days, it could disrupt the final touches.

“Shoulder work, pavement markings, those sort of things could be impacted by continual rain,” Hodges said. 

North Carolina will receive up to a $417.2 million loan from the U.S. Department of Transportation for the Complete 540 project. Construction started four years ago on N.C. Highway 540, the six-lane Triangle Expressway.

“There’s still a good amount to get done, but we think we can, we can knock a lot of it out before August 28,” Hodges said. 

Phase 2, the final portion, will extend the Triangle Expressway 10.8 miles, completing N.C. 540 from I-40 at Garner to the existing Interstate 540 in Knightdale. The extension will mirror the existing Triangle Expressway as a 70 mph, six-lane all-electronic toll road. This portion is expected to be completed in 2028.