Next phase of 540 turnpike freeway now open between I-40/RTP to US 64 West

August 2, 2012 - 8:16am

Next phase of 540 turnpike freeway now open between I-40/RTP to US 64 West

The second phase of the Triangle Expressway (“Tri-Ex”), the largest highway project in North Carolina history and the first modern toll road in North Carolina, is now open to traffic in western Wake County.

The new “Toll 540” turnpike links I-40, I-540/Raleigh Outer Loop, NC 147/Durham Freeway, Toll 147/Triangle Expressway, and US 64 serving Apex and Cary with a new, stoplight-free, 65 MPH freeway.  In addition, today’s opening means that the Town of Cary now has a de facto beltway encircling the majority of the community (via I-40, NC 540, and US 64).  The next phase to US 1 south and NC 55/Holly Springs Bypass will open around December 31^st.

RTA led the regional campaign to accelerate 540 as a turnpike in cooperation with NCDOT, NC Turnpike Authority, elected leaders, the Capital Area MPO and other key partners over the past several years.   

Q&A: “NC Quick Pass” – top four questions from an RTA perspective.

Q1.  Do I need to use a transponder to drive on the toll road?  Can I use cash or coins instead?

Anyonecan travel on the toll road at any time, whether or not they have a transponder.  In addition, there are no toll booths to pay cash.  If you do not have a transponder and you drive on the road, you will be billed in the mail based on your license plate. 

While you do not need a transponder, many of us that will use the toll road even once or twice a year would save money, time, and aggravation by getting a transponder.

Q2.  How do I get a transponder?

You can sign-up online and have a transponder mailed to you, or you can visit the customer service center in Morrisville and pick one up right away.  You pay a $5 one-time fee, and you place $20 in a pre-paid toll balance account which will automatically replenish from your credit card.  If you later cancel your account, you won’t get your $5 back, but you will get any unused pre-paid toll balance returned to you.

In case you are wondering – an EZ-PASS transponder will work at some point on NC toll roads, but it won’t work right now, so you need to get an NC Quick Pass transponder if you want to avoid bill-by-mail.

Q3.  How much do I save with a transponder?

You will save 35% on all tolls in North Carolina as soon as you sign up – which means that your toll savings will exceed your $5 fee in only four days if you were to take even one round trip ride between Cary or Apex and I-40 each day using a transponder.  In addition, you will avoid getting billed in the mail for a small toll amount that you might forget about and avoid late penalties. 

Q4.  How much are tolls with a transponder for the most common trips?

- From I-40/I-540 junction to Green Level West in Cary: $1.17 each way
- From I-40/I-540 junction to US 64 in Apex:  $1.53 each way
- Add 35% to the above rates if you do not have a transponder

Related news: N&O: 1,2,3; WRAL; ABC11; NBC17

More information: RTA webpage, NC Turnpike map