DOT officials said opening the I-540 Outer Loop to Capital Boulevard should relieve traffic at the current interstate of Falls of Neuse and I-540. The DOT also said all lanes will be open to traffic, but the work will not be complete. Construction is not expected to be complete until Labor Day.
DOT officials said the new section of I-540 section will be open the day before Triangle Town Center Mall's grand opening, but they said mall officials did not pressure the DOT to have the road finished.
"They're not pushing. They've asked to be involved to an extent that they coordinate their opening mark, but as far as I can tell, they're not pushing for the road to be open," DOT engineer Bob Shultes said.
However, motorists in the area said they will be glad when the new section opens.
"It's a lot of traffic, especially after 5 p.m.," motorist Yolanda Richardson said.
"I was taking the boys to school in the morning and it was a half-hour to go seven miles, so once it opens up to the next exit, that will relieve some of that," motorist Tom Vanella said.
DOT officials said it cost $22 million for the multi-lane I-540 from Falls of Neuse Road to Capital Boulevard. The interchange at Capital Boulevard near the mall cost $50 million.
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