Attention nocturnal drivers and early bird commuters, a stretch of I-40 West in Wake County will be closed overnight this week. The North Carolina Department of Transportation has begun bridge work that will completely shut down the roadway from today through Thursday, each evening from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. the following morning. To ease the transition, only two lanes will be closed starting at 9 p.m., according to details released by NCDOT.
For those navigating the area during these closures, be prepared to adjust your usual route. Travelers will be detoured to U.S. 70 East, then directed to N.C. 42 East, before looping back to U.S. 70 West—a rerouting that’s likely to add extra time to your commute. While these disruptions may feel inconvenient, they are a necessary part of the state’s effort to safely complete bridgework that cannot be performed during busy daylight hours.
The overnight closures and traffic adjustments on I-40 West in Wake County this week are subject to change, depending on the weather. Officials have noted that unforeseen shifts in the forecast could lead to alterations in the planned schedule.
For those who rely on this section of the interstate, NCDOT’s advice is clear: plan ahead and stay alert. “Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead, follow posted signs, and use caution when traveling through the area,” the department emphasized in a press release.
