Complete 540 – Project Overview and Purpose

The proposed “Complete 540” project, also known as the Southeast Extension, would extend the Triangle Expressway from the N.C. 55 Bypass in Apex to U.S. 64/U.S. 264 (I-495) in Knightdale, completing the 540 Outer Loop around the greater Raleigh area.

Transportation, social and economic demands and mobility considerations are the basis for additional transportation infrastructure in southeastern Wake County. The “Complete 540” project would link the towns of Apex, Cary, Clayton, Garner, Fuquay-Varina, Holly Springs and Raleigh. In addition to connecting several towns and cities, the project is anticipated to ease congestion on area roadways, including I-440, I-40, N.C. 42, N.C. 55 and Ten Ten Road.

Complete 540 consists of three separate NCDOT projects (R-2721, R-2828 and R-2829) that are combined for the current planning and environmental study. Construction will likely be completed in phases that correspond to these three individual projects. Depending on available funding, each project will likely have different construction time lines.

Estimated Cost

The cost of the project is currently estimated to be approximately $2.2 billion based on the anticipated year of construction for each section of the overall project. This cost estimate will be refined as the project development process progresses. It is anticipated that the project would be funded in phases:

• R-2721 – N.C. 55 Bypass to U.S. 401
• R-2828 – U.S. 401 to I-40
• R-2829 – I-40 to U.S. 64/264 (I-495)

Latest News and Updates

January 2018: The N.C. Turnpike Authority and the N.C. Department of Transportation will hold a series of public meetings in February 2018 to provide information on the project, share the preliminary design of the project and gather feedback from the public.

December 2017: The Federal Highway Administration approved the Final Environmental Impact Statement that was prepared for the Complete 540 project.

The Final EIS summarizes the field work and technical studies completed for the project’s Preferred Alternative. The document includes a discussion of the potential project impacts to the human and natural environment within the study area. (View the Final EIS.)

The N.C. Turnpike Authority and the N.C. Department of Transportation will hold a series of public meetings in February 2018 to provide information on the project, share the preliminary design of the project and gather feedback from the public.

The three public meetings and one hearing are scheduled at the following times and locations:

Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2018
6-8 p.m.
Holly Springs High School Cafeteria
5329 Cass Holt Road
Holly Springs 27540

Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018
6-8 p.m.
Barwell Road Community Center Gymnasium
5857 Barwell Park Drive
Raleigh 27610

Thursday, Feb. 22, 2018
Public meeting: 4-6:30 p.m.
Public Hearing: 7 p.m. 
Wake Tech Community College – Southern Wake Campus
Student Services Building L.
Rooms 212, 213, 214
9101 Fayetteville Road
Raleigh 27603

The meetings will be open-house style and citizens can stop by at any time.

The hearing will include a formal presentation, followed by an opportunity for the public to provide verbal comments. Verbal comments will be recorded at the meetings for inclusion in the public hearing record.

Written comments concerning the preliminary design plans and information presented at the public meetings and hearing can also be submitted until March 23, 2018.

Information gathered in the public meetings and hearing will be used in developing final design plans for the project. All comments carry the same weight, regardless of how they are submitted.

The meetings will be open-house style and citizens can stop by at any time.

The hearing will include a formal presentation, followed by an opportunity for the public to provide verbal comments. Verbal comments will be recorded at the meetings for inclusion in the public hearing record.

Written comments concerning the preliminary design plans and information presented at the public meetings and hearing can also be submitted until March 23, 2018.

Information gathered in the public meetings and hearing will be used in developing final design plans for the project. All comments carry the same weight, regardless of how they are submitted.

Project Schedule