DOT plans to widen I-40 in Durham, Chapel Hill

Officials with the N.C. Department of Transportation are working on a project to ease congestion on Interstate 40 and make the morning commute a little easier for drivers.

Many drivers notice build-ups on I-40 in Durham near the ramp for U.S. 15-501 where the interstate narrows from six lanes to four.

The NCDOT wants to add an extra lane in each direction in coming years. The construction would span over 15 miles to the I-40/85 split in Hillsborough.

Officials say the work, however, won't happen anytime soon. The proposed $161 million project would not begin until until 2023.

A public interest meeting originally scheduled for Monday from 4 to 7 p.m. had to be canceled after a water main break in Chapel Hill. As of 3 p.m., the Southern Human Services Building on Homestead Road in Chapel Hill had no water and was closed. 

The meeting will be rescheduled.