We now know when NC 540 will open across southern Wake County

For nearly five years, Wake County residents and visitors have watched the six-lane Triangle Expressway gradually take shape across the county’s southern tier.

We now know when they’ll be able to drive on it.

The NC Turnpike Authority says it will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Aug. 27 and allow cars on the 18-mile section of toll road the following morning. That’s just in time for Labor Day weekend, giving beach-bound drivers another option for getting through Wake County.

The newest leg of what will eventually be an outer loop road around Raleigh extends the expressway from NC 55 near Apex and Holly Springs east to Interstate 40 at the Johnston County line. There it will also connect with US 70 at an enormous interchange where three highways will converge.

There will also be five new interchanges between NC 55 and I-40 — at Holly Springs Road, Bells Lake Road, Fayetteville Road (US 401), Old Stage Road and Benson Road (NC 50). All will open on the same day.

JJ Eden, executive director of the Turnpike Authority, announced the opening date Tuesday at a meeting of government and business leaders organized by the Regional Transportation Alliance. Eden acknowledged that weather — particularly Tropical Storm Debby now bearing down on the state — could make completing final tasks a challenge by Aug. 28.

“We’re going to do everything in our power to get it open then,” he said.

And while the highway will open to traffic, contractors will still have some work to do to finish the project, particularly at the Old Stage Road and Bells Lake interchanges. There will be some lane closures some nights as well.

The Turnpike Authority is an arm of the NC Department of Transportation that builds and operates toll roads in the state.

Drivers with an NC Quick Pass transponder in their cars will pay $8.01 to drive the length of the highway from Research Triangle Park south and east to I-40. Drivers without Quick Pass will pay 35% higher rates and receive a bill in the mail. Gantries over the highway hold cameras and sensors that either read the Quick Pass or photograph the license plates of passing cars underneath.

The 18 miles of new highway is the first of a two-phase effort to complete the 540 Outer Loop around Raleigh. Construction began this year on the final 10-mile section from I-40 up to I-87 in Knightdale. It’s expected to open sometime in 2028.

In June, the Turnpike Authority held an event it called 540 Fest, a chance for people to walk, run and cycle on the nearly completed highway. Eden said more than 2,500 people showed up

“As I walked through the crowds there, people are so excited that this road is actually happening,” he said. “People were taking pictures at the mileposts saying this was an opportunity of a lifetime, to stand on this roadway.”