Heads up, drivers in Orange County: a key I-40 East off-ramp is scheduled for closure starting tonight. According to an announcement by the N.C. Department of Transportation, Exit 261 off-ramp onto Old N.C. 86 will be out of commission starting at 10 p.m. today.
The shutdown comes as contractors dive into three weeks of ramp construction as part of infrastructure improvement efforts; during this time, detours will be the new norm. The ramp won't be available again until the morning of Nov. 10, with signs posted to guide motorists onto an alternative route - travelers aiming for Exit 261 will need to continue on I-40 East, take Exit 263 and then join I-40 West to circle back to their intended exit, a slight detour that could cause some additional travel time, especially during peak hours.
The department takes these concerns seriously, reminding drivers to "remain alert and obey all posted traffic signs" during the construction period, and suggesting that a little forethought in travel planning can mitigate the worst of the detours' effects.
For up-to-the-minute traffic updates and any changes to the construction schedule, be sure to keep tabs on the NCDOT's official news releases and local news outlets.
