The trip home from RDU just got a little shorter
- May 27, 2021
- Posted by: Joe Milazzo II
- Category: Blog
The RDU Airport exits are the gateway to our region for many travelers — including a welcome home for Triangle residents. The Aviation Parkway interchange also serves as the southern access to the Aviation freeway connector to I-540, as well as providing a primary entrance to both Morrisville and northern Cary.
NCDOT has improvements underway for the Airport Boulevard (exit 284) interchange and recently achieved substantial completion on enhancements to the I-40 Aviation Parkway interchange (exit 285).
Those improvements include additional capacity along both Aviation Parkway itself, as well as a new on-and-off lane along Interstate 40 between Aviation and Airport.
Also included in those changes was the review and implementation of an RTA suggestion to retain a flashing yellow arrow for left turners accessing I-40 westbound from northbound Aviation Parkway.
RTA commissioned a study by RTA Leadership Team member Clark Nexsen to review the opportunity, and NCDOT approved and implemented the recommendations to restripe, rephase, and simplify the intersection signal.
The overall improvements to I-40 and Aviation create significant operational and safety benefits. Kudos to our partners with NCDOT Mobility and Safety and Highway Division 5 for their implementation of a host of improvements that will save travelers time for those heading to the Interstate as well as returning to Raleigh and Cary from RDU International.
Let’s get moving,
Joe Milazzo II, PE
Executive Director, Regional Transportation Alliance
RTA is the voice of the regional business community on transportation in the Research Triangle area.
RTA represents more than 100 leading businesses and 25 member chambers of commerce in central and eastern North Carolina.
