I-440 widening project in Raleigh, Cary starts soon; DOT holds public meeting to discuss project

A project to widen the interstate from four to six lanes starts this month and lasts through 2023.

Drivers will see improvements from Wade Avenue in Raleigh to Walnut Street in Cary, a stretch that more than 400,000 drivers use each day.

Some bridges will also be changed. Drivers say the some of the entrances and exits onto I-440 are too short, leading to a quick change of speed limit.

Redesign for Wake County's busiest interchange in the works

“I got into a rear-end accident right there,” said Raleigh resident Tommy Lowery. “Fortunately, it was very minor and nobody was hurt, but it’s very hairy out there on the highway. You have to be on high alert at all times.”

Preliminary work begins in early August, and heavier construction begins in September.

The project is worth $475 million.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation said two lanes will be open in each direction of I-440 during construction. Crews will try to avoid doing work at nearby exits at the same time.

A public meeting to discuss the upcoming project was held Thursday at the McKimmon Center at North Carolina State University. Anyone who was unable to attend the meeting can offer comments by calling or emailing David Hering, the DOT project manager, at dthering@ncdot.gov or (919) 707-6617.

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