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I-40 Widening

The Orange County I-40 contract consists of 11 miles of road widening of I-40 from I-85 to the Durham County line with interchange modifications from four to six lanes (three lanes in each direction).

500
Tons of CO2e emissions from embodied carbon avoided by using Portland-Limestone cement concrete mixes
60,000
Tons of demolished concrete crushed and reused onsite
96,000
Sq Feet of soundwall installed to protect the local community

Overview

The project will also improve the N.C. 86 exit and sections of that highway for several hundred feet both north and south of the interchange.

Once completed this project will improve traffic flow along the I-40 corridor and help relieve heavy congestion that develops during peak hour times. The project utilizes environmentally friendly recycling of existing concrete pavement into sub-base material for new lanes. Work is anticipated to begin in the fall of 2022 and the job is expected to be completed by the fall of 2025.

BENEFITS/POSITIVE ASPECTS TO COMMUNITY

  • Relieve peak hour congestion
  • Ease mobility between the existing I-85 interchange to the six-lane section at the end of the project
  • Improve safety in the region by keeping vehicles moving

Technical Highlights

  • Add an additional 12 foot travel lane and 10 foot shoulder to both eastbound and westbound
  • Remove existing 10 foot outside shoulder and replace with a 12 foot shoulder
  • Improve the N.C. Old 86 interchange in both directions
  • Replacement of two existing bridges with one bridge over N.C. Old 86
  • Widen two I-40 bridges over the Norfolk Southern Railroad
  • Rehabilitation of nine existing bridges throughout the corridor
  • Design and construct all required sound barrier walls and retaining walls