Orange County drivers, take note: I-40 East is going under the knife for the next couple of nights, starting at 11 p.m. The N.C. Department of Transportation has hired contract crews from The Lane Construction Corporation to tackle bridge construction activities, and that means closures on the interstate, specifically between the off and on ramps of Old NC-86, as part of the whole I-40 widening ordeal, according to a NCDOT news release.
Old NC-86 won’t be a useful detour during the I-40 East closures, as it will also be shut down nightly between its ramps. Closures begin at 10 p.m. and end at 5 a.m., continuing through the evening of July 24. The I-40 East exit 261 ramp and Old NC-86 are scheduled to close again on July 25 at 10 p.m. and reopen at 5 a.m. Detours will be posted to help drivers navigate around the closures.
NCDOT recommends using DriveNC.gov for real-time traffic updates and detour information during the I-40 East night closures. The site can help drivers plan alternate routes and avoid construction-related delays.
Drivers are reminded to slow down and follow posted signs in construction zones. Speeding through these areas is dangerous, regardless of what GPS estimates may suggest. While the closures may be inconvenient, they are temporary. Roads will reopen each morning in time for daily traffic.
