The North Carolina Department of Transportation held a ceremonial opening Tuesday morning for the 18-mile southern leg of NC Highway 540 in Wake County.
NCDOT officials cut the ribbon at 10 a.m. Tuesday. On Wednesday at 6 a.m., the extension of the Triangle Expressway will open to all drivers.
The toll road connects the Wake County town of Apex to the I-40 interchange in Garner. The opening was delayed by a month due to erosion caused by Tropical Storm Debby.
This is the first phase of the Complete 540 project. The second phase, which runs from I-40 in Johnston County to I-87 in Knightdale, is scheduled to be finished in 2028.
Ahead of this extension of the Triangle Expressway opening, NCDOT is advising motorists who aim to use it regularly to get an NC Quick . s of the NC Quick save 35% on tolls in North Carolina. Drivers who don’t have the will be mailed a toll invoice at a higher rate.
Drivers should also be aware that while this leg of 540 will be open, some construction will be ongoing and some interchanges will be closed for a while longer. The eastbound half of the Bells Lake Road interchange – exit 47 – will be closed until November to remove temporary project materials. Additionally, the exit ramp 43 to Old Stage Road will remain closed until November to complete the final ramp construction.
