Raleigh- With a relatively dry spring so far, crews on the Fortify I-40/440 Rebuild Project are on schedule, and drivers who commute on I-40 in Raleigh are continuing to see big changes in the work zone.
Crews began shifting eastbound lanes this week from the Jones Franklin Road bridge to Lake Wheeler Road as they work toward moving traffic over to begin removing and demolishing the median and inside lanes of the existing roadway. If the weather cooperates, the shifts should be complete by early next week.
Crews completed similar work this past week on I-40 West from Lake Wheeler Road to U.S. 1 in Cary. They spent this week replacing the orange barrels that had been blocking the now closed westbound lanes with concrete barriers. They will provide additional safety for the workers who will be rebuilding the inside lanes and median. The same swap of orange barrels for concrete barriers is expected to start on the eastbound side next week.
In July, workers are also scheduled to complete traffic shifts on the remaining portion of I-40 between Lake Wheeler Road and the I-40/440 split. This section will also involve lane reductions. Areas of the road that are currently four and five lanes will be reduced to three lanes.
The three-lane traffic pattern will remain in effect for the duration of the project , which is expected to be complete by late 2016.
“We want to thank our business leaders, transit partners and entire community for their continued collaborative preparation to minimize the travel impact as the final traffic pattern takes shape,” NCDOT Deputy Secretary of Communications Mike Charbonneau said. “We want to remind everyone who drives on I-40 through Wake County that it is important to plan ahead and know before you go, because the final work zone pattern is expected to increase typical travel time by 30 minutes, with the possibility of greater impact from inclement weather or road incidents.”
NCDOT also wants to remind drivers that one South Saunders Street exit is closed in each direction to allow Fortify crews to safely do bridge and interchange work. The closures will remain in effect for about a year, and drivers will have the option to turn right or left at the bottom of each of the remaining ramps.
Signs are posted in advance of the exit in both directions to notify drivers of the changes, and NCDOT has also created a short video to help guide drivers.