Western Wake 540 – recovery update
- December 3, 2020
- Posted by: Joe Milazzo II
- Category: Blog
RTA has been a strong proponent of the development of a resilient, regional multimodal freeway network for nearly two decades.
We have been the leading private sector voice in the Research Triangle region in support of the Turnpike Authority, and we have encouraged its success since the opening of the 147 Turnpike in and around Research Triangle Park in 2011.
Western Wake 540 is currently our longest toll road, and traffic on that turnpike freeway is slowly and steadily bouncing back.
Recent data from the Turnpike Authority indicates that traffic is now down about 20% compared to this time last year. While that may not sound great, another way of thinking about it is that volume has bounced back to 80% of previous levels.
I believe that is actually quite good, particularly given the amount of work-from-home activity that is continuing in the Triangle.
We applaud the ongoing success of the Turnpike Authority with Toll 147 and Western Wake 540 — we are pleased to see the ongoing construction of Southern Wake 540 — and we look forward to the completion of the entire Raleigh Outer Loop when Eastern Wake 540 moves to construction, hopefully in just a few years.
Let’s get moving,
Joe
Joe Milazzo II, PE
RTA Executive Director
RTA is the voice of the regional business community on transportation
