Oversize Load Detours on I-95 in North Carolina
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Oversize load detours caused by I-95 construction in North Carolina are part of a big plan to widen about 25 miles of the corridor from Exit 56 to Exit 81. The state is rebuilding interchanges and adding lanes to ease congestion and keep traffic moving.
The N.C. Department of Transportation has added cameras, speed sensors, and changeable message boards to monitor conditions and guide drivers through work zones. Alternate signage and preplanned routes such as U.S. 301 help when an exit closes or delays grow long.
Drivers and the local community will see changes through summer 2024 and into 2026, as segments finish and new ramps open. This article gives clear, practical updates so you can pick the best exit and avoid slowdowns.
Breaking detours and closures impacting oversize loads on I-95 right now
Short update: The ramp from i-95 north to U.S. 64 at Exit 138 will close at 8:00 p.m. Monday for final reconfiguration. Northbound travelers will follow a signed detour to Exit 141, turn around, and head south to reach U.S. 64 at Exit 138.
I-95 North ramp to U.S. 64 at Exit 138 closed at 8:00 p.m.; detour via Exit 141 and back south
The ramp is expected to reopen by the end of June. After reopening, access to Exit 138 will shift about one mile farther south as the new collector-distributor lane opens for the Sunset Avenue interchange.
NC 82 bridge strike in Cumberland County: northbound I-95 detour and work zone safety reminders
Following a crash where a truck hit the NC 82 bridge, the department transportation closed the span and routed northbound traffic around the incident. Drivers should slow down, obey signs, and give extra space to workers and emergency crews.
Overnight lane closures for temporary pavement and concrete barriers as contractors set up the work zone
Contractor crews will use overnight lane shifts to install temporary pavement and set concrete barriers. Expect narrower lanes, reduced speeds, and brief delays near active areas. Watch dynamic message signs and check real-time road restrictions before you travel.
| Closure | Timing | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Exit 138 ramp | Closes 8:00 p.m.; reopens by end of June | Detour via Exit 141; access point shifts 1 mile south |
| NC 82 bridge | Immediate after crash | Northbound detour; reduced speeds near work zone |
| Exit 71–I-40 segment | Overnight closures ongoing | Temporary pavement, concrete barriers, narrow lanes |
Oversize load detours caused by I-95 construction in North Carolina: where work is active
Active work stretches across a 16-mile corridor north of Exit 55, where new cameras and speed sensors keep drivers informed. This zone runs from Cumberland into Harnett County and is set to wrap up in summer 2024.
Cumberland to Harnett: widening from just north of Exit 55 through Exit 71 with cameras and speed sensors
What crews are doing: the state has added cameras, message boards, and sensors to monitor traffic and alert drivers to alternate routes like U.S. 301. These tools help reduce congestion and speed response when an exit closes.
Harnett to Johnston: Exit 71 to I-40 at Exit 81 in Benson—new overpass, rebuilt interchanges, longer acceleration lanes
A $236.5 million contract awarded to Flatiron–Fred Smith Co. covers the work from north of Exit 71 to I-40 at Exit 81 in Johnston County. The contractor will add two lanes each direction (eight total), rebuild key interchanges, and install longer ramps and roundabouts at Exit 79.
- Expect overnight lane shifts for temporary pavement and barrier placement early in the project.
- Plan for occasional ramp closures and narrower shoulders while crews work.
| Segment | Scope | Technology | Target |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exit 55–71 | Widening over ~16 miles | Cameras, speed sensors, message boards | Complete summer 2024 |
| North of Exit 71–Exit 81 | Eight lanes, rebuilt interchanges, new overpass | Traffic monitoring, overnight closures | Complete summer 2026 |
| Key features | Longer acceleration lanes, roundabouts at Exit 79 | Real-time alerts | Reduce congestion, improve safety |
Navigate congestion safely: routes, maps, cameras, and exit services for drivers
Smart signage, live cameras, and up-to-the-minute maps help drivers steer around trouble spots quickly.
When a crash or closure stalls traffic in a work zone, look for alternate I-95 signs that point you to a preplanned route such as U.S. 301. Those signed options cut congestion and move people around an incident faster and with less risk.
Use real-time maps and cameras
The Statewide Transportation Operations Center monitors cameras and speed sensors and updates message boards in real time. Check a trusted live map before you enter the zone so you can pick the best exit and avoid needless delays.
“Roadside message boards reflect live conditions, not schedules — follow their guidance to save time and stay safe.”
Check exit services for fuel, lodging, or truck-friendly stops using the I-95 Exit Guide. The guide shows maps, service listings, traffic speeds, and camera views on mobile without an app, so you can plan stops without extra detours.
- Confirm clearances with live cameras when barriers or lane changes are active.
- Follow posted alternate signage instead of cutting across lanes late for an exit.
- Recheck conditions at intervals on long trips; work zones change and new delays can appear overnight.
What drivers should expect next in the work zone through the end of construction
What drivers should expect next through the end of construction
In the months ahead, travelers will see rolling night shifts and staged openings of rebuilt interchanges. Expect periodic lane shifts, temporary ramp closures, and continued barrier placement as the state and its contractor move work from Harnett into johnston county.
Cameras, sensors, and message boards from the department transportation will guide i-95 north and southbound traffic through each phase. Sunset Avenue tied to U.S. 64 should be open by year’s end, and full corridor work wraps in stages with the final end target in summer 2026.
Plan extra time, check an exit service directory for fuel and rest stops, and stay alert near active crews so the community and road users reach the improved interchanges and ramps safely at the end of the project.
