The N.C. Department of Transportation announced Tuesday that the 1.2-mile section of Business 40 between Peters Creek Parkway and U.S. 52. will close on Sunday, November 11, at 8 a.m.

Beginning Nov. 11, all Business 40 traffic will be diverted to I-40, Peters Creek Parkway and U.S. 52. Vehicles will be able to take those exits but not drive past them.

Between Nov. 11 and Summer 2019, the Liberty Street, Main Street and Church Street bridges will be closed for replacement, and the new Strollway bridge will be constructed during this time frame.

Despite construction, drivers will still be able to get to downtown Winston-Salem.

The Winston-Salem Chamber has been involved in the Business 40 Improvement plan since the early stages. Mark Owens, Chamber President and CEO, says “the Business 40 Improvement project is a historic event for our city and our region. We have been working with the business community and our partners at the DOT to prepare for this day as best we can, for months and years ahead of time. Many organizations in the community are working to ensure that employees can get to work, customers can reach businesses, and our downtown continues to thrive. We know that the future Salem Parkway not only will result in a safer, more modern thoroughfare for residents already here but it will also be a significant economic driver for attracting new businesses and investments into our community.”

The $99.2 million project will include:

  • Replacing the existing roadway pavement
  • Modernizing entrance and exit ramps
  • Replacing nine vehicular bridges and two pedestrian bridges
  • Lengthening the acceleration and deceleration lanes between ramps
  • Widening existing roadway shoulders and adding new shoulders
  • Building portions of a multi-use path from Lockland Avenue to Liberty Street

Traffic studies indicate there are 80,000 vehicles on Business 40 daily. Half of them are local, while the other half are passing through. Detour signs will guide pass-through traffic onto I-40.

When Business 40 reopens, it will provide a better driving experience with wider lanes, longer access and exit ramps, higher bridges, an increased speed limit, a modern look and a new name – Salem Parkway/U.S. 421.

There will be two pedestrian bridges and a tunnel. The foot bridges will tie into the city’s greenway project, providing a walkable route from the Long Branch Trail at the Innovation Quarter in downtown to BB&T Ballpark.

Additional information is available at www.business40nc.com and Facebook.