Heads up, Triangle Expressway travelers: prepare to adjust your nighttime commutes. The North Carolina Turnpike Authority is planning to implement lane and shoulder closures on the eastbound lanes of the Triangle Expressway. Closures will be in effect between exit 54 at the N.C. 55 Bypass interchange and exit 50 at the Holly Springs Road interchange, starting approximately on Monday and continuing through April 11, from 8:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. nightly.
The reason behind these closures? Crews need to safely install and test new toll gantry equipment. This work, essential for maintaining and updating the expressway’s infrastructure, is timed to take place overnight in an effort to minimize to disrupt the daily flow of traffic. Despite the inconvenience, at least one lane will remain open to eastbound traffic, ensuring a passage through the work zone, albeit a slower one.
In an announcement, the North Carolina Department of Transportation relayed that "during the lane and shoulder closures, at least one eastbound lane will remain open to traffic." Motorists traveling west will breathe a sigh of relief as their lanes won't be affected by this work. Yet, all should anticipate needing some additional travel time if their journey intersects with these closures.
The lane and shoulder closures are, as always, subject to the whims of weather. Drivers are advised to plan ahead and factor in some extra travel time or seek alternative routes if possible. Motorists chancing upon these construction areas should "slow down and pay extra attention when navigating through the area," according to the aforementioned announcement from the North Carolina Department of Transportation.
