Durham, N.C. — Lane closures for repair work caused major backups and delays along Interstate 40 in Durham County on Sunday.

Crews intermittently blocked off two of three lanes on both sides of the highway from 6:30 a.m.

On the westbound side, the closures occurred between Exit 276-Fayetteville Road and Exit 274-N.C. Highway 751. On I-40 East, lanes were closed between Exit 273-N.C. Highway 54 and Exit 276-Fayetteville Road.

Shortly after noon, the closures caused 3-mile traffic jam between Fayetteville Road and N.C. 751. Transportation officials reported delays of up to 30 minutes.

The repair work was scheduled to end by late Sunday afternoon.

DOT suggested two alternate routes that were each only a mile longer than passing through the construction zone. 

• From I-40 East:  Take Exit 163 to I-85 North, and then Exit 172 to N.C. 147/Durham Freeway. Proceed to I-40 East.

• From I-40 West: Take Exit 279 to N.C. 147/Durham Freeway North, and then follow to I-85 South to I-40 West.

On Saturday, repaving work forced the closure of two lanes on I-40 between the U.S. Highways 1/64 interchange and Gorman Street in Raleigh, causing significant delays there, too.