CHAPEL HILL (NC DOT NEWS RELEASE) – NCDOT is accepting public input for the proposed widening of Interstate 40 between the split with I-85 near Hillsborough and the Durham County line. The public information session that had been scheduled for Nov. 5 will be rescheduled.
The project would also improve the N.C. 86 exit as well as several hundred feet of N.C. 86 both north and south of the interchange. It also includes some improvements for other interchanges on that stretch of highway.
The interstate would be widened by one lane in each direction. They would be built within the existing median area and bring the highway up to three lanes each way, improving traffic flow along that corridor and helping relieve heavy congestion that develops during commuter times.
It is included in the Durham/Chapel Hill/Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Transportation Plan.
Maps of the proposed improvements are available on the NCDOT Public Meetings Website. This is early in the project development and design process, as construction is set to start in the 2023-24 fiscal year. Because of this, public input is needed now as part of that development process.
Residents can submit comments through Nov. 19 to Gene Tarascio of the NCDOT Project Management Unit at gtarascio@ncdot.gov or 919-707-6046 or to Eric Midkiff at emidkiff@calyxengineers.com or 919-858-1820.