Research Triangle Freeway Corridor

Everyone is familiar with the importance of I-40—the region's "Main Street", traversing east-west through the heart of the Triangle. Completion of what the Alliance terms the "Research Triangle Freeway" corridor would complement I-40 and provide new, north-south free-flow mobility for the Triangle (click for detailed map).

The Research Triangle Freeway corridor would connect I-85 east of Durham with US 1 at Apex via Durham, Research Triangle Park, Morrisville, and Cary. The corridor follows the existing US 70 bypass, the proposed East End Connector, portions of the existing Durham Freeway, the proposed Triangle Parkway, and the sections of proposed I-540 in western Wake County. The proposed toll facilities in southern Durham and western Wake counties (Triangle Parkway and portions of I-540) are collectively referred to as the "Research Triangle Expressway" portion of the corridor—the Alliance is seeking recurring gap funding to complete these turnpike freeways.

Six different segments of the Research Triangle Freeway corridor are in varying phases of completion. Three of the six segments -- portions of the US 70 bypass east of Durham, the NC 147 Durham Freeway, and I-540 near Morrisville -- are either open to traffic now or will be by early 2007. The remaining segments -- the Durham East End Connector, Triangle Parkway, and I-540 Western Wake -- are either funded in the draft TIP or under consideration from the Turnpike Authority as new toll routes. If all proposed projects are constructed under accelerated time schedules, the entire corridor between I-85 and US 1 could be open by 2012.

The Alliance supports the completion of each and every segment of the Research Triangle Freeway corridor. While the corridor may consist of three different route numbers with only portions open to traffic, upon completion the Research Triangle Freeway corridor will serve as a unified north-south connector and a vital transportation artery for the Triangle.

See below for a map of the Research Triangle Freeway corridor and additional information on the project status for each segment. Click here for an interactive map of Alliance transportation priorities in the region.

Click here for a detailed map.

------ Existing and proposed Interstate freeways
------ Other existing and proposed freeways
------ Research Triangle Freeway corridor

Individual Segment Information

US 70 bypass
From: I-85 exit 178 in Durham
To: future East End Connector at NC 98
Highway Trust Fund eligibility: N/A
Project status: Existing
Type: Freeway
Estimated Cost: N/A - Open to traffic

East End Connector
From: existing US 70 bypass at NC 98 in Durham
To: Durham Freeway/NC 147 south of Briggs Avenue
Highway Trust Fund eligibility: (Durham Loop)
Project status: Proposed
Type: Freeway
Estimated Cost: $100 million

Durham Freeway
From: future East End Connector exit south of Briggs Ave
To: existing I-40 interchange in Research Triangle Park
Highway Trust Fund eligibility: N/A
Project status: Existing
Type: Freeway
Estimated Cost: N/A - Open to traffic

Triangle Parkway
From: existing I-40 interchange in Research Triangle Park
To: future I-540 interchange at RTP/Morrisville
Highway Trust Fund eligibility: N/A
Project status: Proposed
Type: Turnpike Freeway
Estimated Cost: $150 million*

NW Wake Freeway
From: future Triangle Parkway interchange at RTP/Morrisville
To: future NC 55 interchange in NW Cary
Highway Trust Fund eligibility: (Raleigh Loop)
Project status: Under Construction
Type: Freeway/Turnpike Freeway
Estimated Cost: N/A - Open to traffic by 2007

West Wake Freeway
From: future NC 55 interchange in NW Cary
To: future US 1 interchange in S Apex
Highway Trust Fund eligibility: (Raleigh Loop)
Project status: Proposed
Type: Turnpike Freeway
Estimated Cost: $650 million*
Note: the W Wake Freeway will continue to the existing NC 55 Holly Springs bypass and the future S Wake freeway; the future S Wake freeway will join the under construction US 70 Clayton bypass at I-40 future exit 310 near the Wake/Johnston county line

* initial estimates indicate that 75%+ of the project cost is bondable as a turnpike, with the balance as a gap