Triangle Highway Projects Facing Extended Delays

If you’ve ever been stuck in traffic on a Triangle highway, particularly during rush hour, you’re not alone. One of the most notable traffic bottlenecks is on Capital Boulevard, where commuters frequently face delays. Unfortunately, these delays are part of a much larger issue facing many highway projects in the Triangle.

Several key infrastructure initiatives to combat this are being delayed, including the long-anticipated freeway conversion of Capital Boulevard, which is now slated for completion in 2031, five years later than initially planned. So, why are these delays happening, and how long are we expected to wait for these critical improvements?

The Root Causes of Triangle Highway Delays

Several factors contribute to the delays of North Carolina Triangle highway projects, primarily inflation. Rising costs affect day-to-day expenses and drive up the cost of construction materials, utilities, and right-of-way acquisitions.

The National Highway Construction Cost Index has surged by 67% in just the past three years, which is far steeper than the 22% increase seen over the previous 14 years. This dramatic jump in costs has made it harder for the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) to stay on track with original project timelines.

The financial pressure doesn’t stop there. Construction projects, particularly ones as large as the Capital Boulevard freeway conversion, often experience delays due to unforeseen challenges in land acquisition, utility relocation, and the sheer scale of the work involved.

A Look at the Project Delays: What’s Being Affected?

Several projects throughout the Triangle are facing significant setbacks. For instance, the Capital Boulevard freeway project—a critical upgrade for managing traffic between Raleigh and Wake Forest—was initially set for completion around 2021 but is now projected for 2031. The cost of the project, which is broken down into four segments—A, B, C, and D—has ballooned from $465 million in 2018 to an estimated $1.34 billion in the latest draft of the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) draft, which covers projects between 2026-2035. Other projects listed in the latest STIP that are affected include:

• The U.S. 70 freeway conversion—including sections A and B—is now delayed by two years to 2030.
• U.S. 64 widening (Cary and Apex): Pushed back to 2032.
• U.S. 64/264 expansion to six lanes: Expected completion pushed beyond 2035.
• I-885 widening (Research Triangle Park to Durham): Delayed to 2030.
• I-85 widening (Durham to Hillsborough): Delayed beyond 2035.
• N.C. 42 Widening (West of Clayton in Johnston County) from NC 50 to US 70 Business: Delayed to 2031.

These delays are causing considerable frustration among commuters and businesses in the Triangle. Particularly for those using roads like Capital Boulevard, which narrows from three lanes to two between I-540 and Durant Road, traffic congestion remains a daily problem.

How Long Will We Wait?

It’s difficult to say precisely how long each project will take, but the revised timelines provided in the latest STIP indicate that many projects will not be completed until after 2035. The wait for the Capital Boulevard project could last another six years, pushing it out to 2031.

While delays in transportation projects are never ideal, the NCDOT is actively working to mitigate the impact of these challenges. Although the delays are a product of inflation and funding constraints, the ultimate goal remains to provide a safer, more efficient transportation network for the Triangle.

What Can Be Done to Speed Things Up?

Some organizations, such as the Regional Transportation Alliance, have advocated for converting the Capital Boulevard project into a toll road. This would allow NCDOT to finance the project using funds raised from toll revenues, similar to how the N.C. Turnpike Authority has financed projects like the Triangle Expressway (N.C. 540).

There is also ongoing research into how tolls might impact traffic and funding as local stakeholders push for faster completion of the freeway. For many commuters, the Capital Boulevard freeway is long overdue, and heavy traffic impacts their daily lives. But for now, the delays are inevitable.

Questions About Your Property Rights? We Have the Answers.

We encourage individuals and businesses to stay informed about these changes. By understanding the challenges and delays, we can better prepare for the future and continue advocating for the improvements our region needs. Stay tuned for updates on these and other Triangle infrastructure projects, and feel free to reach out to our team of eminent domain attorneys with any questions or concerns about how these developments may impact your land or business.

Contact us today by submitting a form online or calling our office at (919) 781-1107 for a complimentary consultation.