Second I-540 exit lane opens at I-40

The state Department of Transportation on Friday opened a second lane for westbound traffic on Interstate 540 to exit onto Interstate 40.

Work on the $7.6 million project began in March and finished two weeks ahead of schedule. Contractor C.C. Mangum of Raleigh still has some final items to complete on the project but will have to wait until next spring, when the weather is warmer, to do them, officials said.

Adding a second exit lane is expected to alleviate traffic back-ups on westbound I-540 during the morning rush hour, officials said. Improvements to I-40 as part of the project should make it easier for westbound motorists exiting at Page Road by improving the traffic flow, officials said.

The project, which was funded by the federal economic stimulus program, also included repaving seven miles of I-40 from the Durham Freeway to I-540.