RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA — The first phase of the Complete 540 extension of North Carolina’s Triangle Expressway is officially open, with the North Carolina Turnpike Authority (NCTA) opening the new highway to traffic at 6 a.m. on Sept. 24.
WSP, a leading engineering, environment and professional services firm, teamed with Lane-Blythe Construction Joint Venture, played a significant role as prime designer for the 8.6-mile segment from east of U.S. 401 to east of Interstate 40 (I-40), which included construction of new interchanges at Old Stage Road, N.C. 50, and the turbine interchange at I-40.
The opening of Phase 1 marks a crucial step in expanding the transportation infrastructure of the greater Raleigh area. This phase represents an investment of approximately $1.3 billion and includes construction of five new interchanges at Holly Springs Road, Bells Lake Road, U.S. 401, Old Stage Road and N.C. 50; the completion of the interchange at N.C. 55 bypass in Apex; and the partial construction of the Toll N.C. 540/I-40/I-42/turbine interchange in Garner.
“This project will enhance local mobility by easing traffic congestion, improving connectivity to other major throughfares and surrounding towns, and providing safer conditions for both commuters and maintenance crews,” said Ronyell Thigpen, vice president of civil engineering at WSP. “NCTA’s vision for the NC-540 loop has shaped communities around the Raleigh Triangle area. We were able to collaborate with NCTA’s leadership to develop a signature five-point turbine interchange design that combines three major highways.”
Throughout the design and construction process, WSP and the project team were dedicated to minimizing environmental impacts, with a specific focus in the Swift Creek watershed due to its federally threatened and endangered species, according to Vidya Mohandas, assistant vice president of water resources engineering at WSP.
“The Triangle is growing rapidly, and this project will be instrumental in fostering expansion, planned economic growth, safety and reliable mobility for greater Raleigh for years to come,” Mohandas said.
“We are grateful to our team and trusted industry partners for their contributions to opening this new extension of the Triangle Expressway,” added Alan Shapiro, deputy chief engineer at NCTA, who has been involved with the 540 project since its inception. “Thanks to our collaboration, North Carolinians are now benefiting from an innovative new transportation option.”
Once finished, the two-phase Complete 540 project, costing around $2.5 billion, will further extend the Triangle Expressway by approximately 10.8 miles. This will complete the outer loop around Raleigh, significantly improving the region’s connectivity and mobility.
Phase 2 of the project broke ground in May 2024, with WSP serving as the prime construction engineering and inspection (CEI) consultant. This $1.2 billion phase will extend the Triangle Expressway, from I-40 to the existing I-540 at I-87/ U.S. 64/U.S. 264 in Knightdale.
The Triangle Expressway extension will mirror the existing Triangle Expressway as a 70-mile-per-hour, six-lane highway equipped with all-electronic toll technology. Phase 2 is currently scheduled to open to traffic in late 2028.
About WSP in the U.S.
WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world’s leading engineering, environment and professional services firms. Recognized in 2023 on TIME’s list of the world’s best companies and Fortune’s Change the World list, WSP is driving social impact and commitment to ESG. WSP in the U.S. brings together engineers, planners, technical experts, strategic advisors and construction management professionals who are dedicated to collaborate in the best interests of serving local communities. WSP designs lasting solutions in the buildings, transportation, energy, water and environment markets. With approximately 14,000 employees in 300 offices across the U.S., WSP partners with its clients to help communities prosper. wsp.com
Download press release
