Redesign for Wake County's busiest interchange in the works

A redesign is in the works for where Interstate 40 meets with Interstate 440 and U.S. Highway 1.

People who frequent the Cary Crossroads shopping area are familiar with the congestion.

Drivers leaving the area must merge with others coming in from three separate highways.

Transportation leaders have three designs in mind to improve the flow of traffic.

WRAL On-Time Traffic

The goal is to improve traffic flow between the three highways, which would cut down on the frequent urge to use local roads instead.

Some residents say the work is worth the temporary inconvenience that comes with construction.

“It is tricky coming down U.S. 1 and 64, then coming off into these shopping centers,” said Regis Rulifson. "It can be very confusing.”

Jeannie Jasura said most potential changes would be an improvement.

“As long as they come up with a proper detour, that helps, but certainly there’s nothing they could do to make it worse,” Jasura said.

The project also includes adding another lane in each direction on I-40, from the interchange to Lake Wheeler Road.

Construction would start in four years.

The N.C. Department of Transportation wants input from drivers who have ideas on what changes would improve their daily drive.

People can give their suggestions at a public meeting Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn off Dillard Drive.