Major project to simplify Blue Ridge Road, Hillsborough Street intersection in Raleigh

Blue Ridge Road at Hillsborough Street near the fairgrounds is a busy, complicated area for drivers.

There's a railroad crossing and another nearby intersection with Beryl Road.

"It really makes up one of the more complicated signal systems in the state because of the railroad preemptions and two full-movement intersections back to back," said NCDOT engineer Brandon Jones.

But change is coming. As soon as the fair closes Sunday night, crews will close Blue Ridge Road at the railroad tracks near Hillsborough Street.

Get ready for a detour that will be in place for the Monday morning commute.

It's all part of a huge project to raise the railroad tracks and eliminate that crossing near the busy intersection.

Once it's done, Blue Ridge Road will pass beneath Hillsborough Street, the railroad tracks and Beryl Road. A new street will connect Hillsborough and Blue Ridge.

"Mobility for Blue Ridge Road and Hillsborough Street will be greatly improved and a lot safer," said Jones.

So drivers should be ready for that detour on Blue Ridge Road Monday morning.

In early 2023, part of Hillsborough Street will close for several months. The Blue Ridge Road closure will expand through the duration of the project.

They're hoping to have everything open before the State Fair in 2024.

The closures will mean some big changes for traffic at next year's State Fair. The DOT says that fair management is working on a plan to adjust traffic flow in 2023.