News

Here is a brief weekly update from the RTA business coalition – the voice of the regional business community on transportation.

In today’s weekly member briefing – and also in the briefings from the prior two weeks – I will provide a look ahead for the coming year.

I-40 will get better, and a little bigger
The long-awaited widening of I-40 in Orange County between US 15-501 and I-85 will move in earnest later this year, while the ongoing I-40 project in southeastern Wake and northwestern Johnston counties will progress toward substantial completion for the northern sections near I-440 and I-87 over the next several months. NCDOT, our area metropolitan planning organizations — and RTA — have long focused on the future of I-40, our region’s “main street”, and these improvements, along with proposals to modernize I-40 in RTP, will progress in 2022.

540 will get closer
Construction of 540 in southern Wake County will continue by the NC Turnpike Authority; this vital link will open next year. Meanwhile, we will continue to advocate for a funding, financing, and implementation solution to advance the final segment of 540 in eastern Wake.

As will a vital Capital improvement, and a few connections
The long-awaited conversion of  US 1 / Capital Boulevard to a freeway between I-540 and Wake Forest will also get closer, particularly for the segment nearest I-540. As noted in our “part one” discussion, there will be additional discussions about other key metropolitan corridors, including US 70 between I-540 and Durham, and also US 15-501 between Duke University and I-40. We will engage in and support those key discussions, as we noted last fall.

The regional business community is committed to playing an important leadership and cooperative role with our regional, state, local, and federal elected and transportation partners. It should be a great 2022, together.

Let’s get moving,
Joe

Joe Milazzo II, PE
RTA Executive Director

Click here for prior RTA Member Briefings and RTA Blogs.