WAKE COUNTY – Your commute may soon be faster when traveling on three Triangle highways. The state Department of Transportation says that the speed limit will increase from 65 to 70 mph on several stretches of highway within the next week.

Steve Abbott, NCDOT Communications Officer, says the highways with the increased speed limit are I-540 between Glenwood Avenue (U.S. 70) and I-40; all of N.C. 540, including the Triangle Expressway; and N.C. 147 between N.C. 540 and I-40. Abbott says the change was motivated by driver request.

“We go out and review current speeds, and we do crash data tests,” Abbott says. “We look at road characteristics to see if the roads are the type that can handle the higher speed. In this case it did work out, so we were able to boost it by 5 mph.”

A contractor is expected to install the new speed limit signs this week, with the new law taking effect as the signs are installed. All signs are expected to be in place by the end of the month.

Abbott says the change will likely improve traffic flow.

“Most of the traffic was already going about 70 mph and cheating a little bit and going over the speed limit,” he says. “Then you had another group that way obeying the speed limit, so that actually produced two different groups of drivers. Now you should have more free-flowing traffic.”

A similar increase was enacted in February for the other section of I-540 between Glenwood Avenue and U.S. 64/264.

Related Stories
‹
NCDOT: I-40 Widening Project to Shut Down Highway Connector
The long-term I-40 widening project in Orange County will shut down an on-ramp for approximately three months.
Orange County Section of I-40 To Add 2 Lanes; Construction Begins in Weeks
A new state construction project is working to widen Interstate 40. The highway will expand from two lanes to three lanes in each direction in the coming weeks.
'Reimagining 15-501' Public Workshop Being Held Tuesday
If you live or work in Chapel Hill or Durham you’ve probably experienced the heavy traffic on 15-501 connecting the two municipalities. According to a regional travel demand model used by the NC Department of Transportation to forecast future traffic volumes, the US 15-501 corridor between Ephesus Church Road in Chapel Hill to University Drive […]
Downtown Chapel Hill Area Street Resurfacing to Begin on Monday
Drivers may want to make plans for alternative routes around downtown Chapel Hill this summer. The NC Department of Transportation is scheduled begin street resurfacing in town on Monday, June 11. Areas affected will be East Franklin Street from South Columbia to Pickard Lane, South Columbia Street from Manning Drive to Franklin Street, Pittsboro Street […]
Replacement of Old Greensboro Road Bridge Causing Detour until November
N.C. Department of Transportation crews will begin work on replacing the Old Greensboro Road bridge that crosses Phils Creek between Jones Ferry and Neville Road on Monday, April 9. According to a release, part of the road will close 7 am on Monday until the work is completed in November, weather permitting. Commuters who use […]
Carrboro's South Greensboro Street Closing This Summer for Roundabout Construction
Carrboro drivers should begin planning a detour for South Greensboro Street for the summer. The town announced upcoming construction on South Greensboro that will close the street beginning June 11 and expected to last through August 24. According to the town’s press release, Woodhill N.C. LLC and the North Carolina Department of Transportation will be […]
Arthur Minnis Road Bridge Replacement Underway Until December
The North Carolina Department of Transportation is working on replacing the Arthur Minnis Road Bridge that crosses New Hope Creek in Hillsborough. Local traffic will still have access to locations on both sides of the bridge, however a portion of the road near the work zone will be closed until the bridge is completed in […]
New Bridge for Old Greensboro Road
The Old Greensboro Road Bridge that passes over Phils Creek between Jones Ferry and Neville Road in Chapel Hill will be replaced with a new bridge. The N.C. Department of Transportation Board of Transportation has awarded $984,000 for the project which will begin in October and is scheduled for final completion in March 2018. “The […]
Recovery Continues From Hurricane Matthew In Eastern NC
Hurricane Matthew delivered a massive blow to North Carolina. How is the state recovering?
NC Dept. Of Transportation Prepares For Winter Weather
They will be fueled. They will be loaded with salt..."
›