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DURHAM, N.C. — If you are tired of battling construction traffic along Interstate 40 in Durham County, there is a way to avoid it.
Instead of taking I-40 west to Interstate 85, drivers can take N.C. 147 through Durham and then I-85 back down to I-40.
The DOT and the state Highway Patrol say the route is safer.
WRAL drove the route during the afternoon rush hour and found it saved a minute of drive time.
The DOT will consider making that route a mandatory detour for trucks until the construction project is finished.
At 8 p.m. Friday, the DOT is closing the Highway 147 ramp from I-40 westbound for repaving.
It will reopen Monday at 6 a.m.
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