North Carolina Awards $21 Million I-40 Contract
The state transportation department has hired Blythe Construction Inc. to rehabilitate a 9.4-mile stretch of Interstate 40.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Construction
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The North Carolina Department of Transportation has awarded a $21 million contract to Blythe Construction Inc. for a major highway rehabilitation project. The work will upgrade a 9.4-mile segment of Interstate 40 spanning Durham and Wake counties.
Why it matters
This initiative aims to extend the service life of the pavement beyond standard resurfacing methods. By strengthening the highway structure, the project supports a critical transit corridor connecting two of the state's most populous regions.
The project covers a 9.4-mile section of Interstate 40 from east of Interstate 885 to Wade Avenue. The total value of the awarded construction contract is $21 million.
The players
North Carolina Department of Transportation
This state agency oversees the planning, construction, and maintenance of North Carolina's extensive network of highways, railways, and aviation facilities.
Blythe Construction Inc.
This firm is a major infrastructure contractor specializing in large-scale road, bridge, and highway development projects across the Southeast United States.
The details
The project utilizes an extensive rehabilitation approach designed to strengthen the underlying pavement structure. The work targets a heavily traveled corridor connecting Durham and Wake counties to improve long-term roadway durability.
Timeline
The contract for the project was awarded on October 15, 2026.
Construction is expected to begin in the fall of 2026.
Substantial completion of the project is scheduled for late 2028.
Market Landscape
This contract reflects the state's ongoing push to modernize high-traffic interstate corridors to accommodate regional growth. It positions Blythe Construction Inc. as a key partner in maintaining the structural integrity of the state's primary highway networks against increasing wear.
Commuters traveling between Durham and Wake counties should anticipate upcoming changes to traffic patterns throughout the multi-year construction window. Drivers are advised to plan for potential work zone delays as the structural improvements proceed along this critical section of Interstate 40.
The takeaway
Maintaining heavily trafficked interstate corridors requires more substantial investment than standard surface paving to ensure long-term stability. Drivers benefit from this approach through reduced frequency of emergency road repairs and smoother travel conditions.
What happens next
Construction activity is scheduled to commence in the fall of 2026, with the project slated for substantial completion by late 2028.
Further reading
Find more updates on regional infrastructure improvements in the North Carolina Construction section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by CBS17.
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