East End Connector (I-885)

Interstate 885[edit]
Interstate 885 (I-885) is the proposed designation traversing between I-40 and I-85/US 15 in Durham and the RTP area. Its first appearance was on August 19, 2014, when the October project letting was released, which included I-885 in the sign plans. NCDOT also listed in the documentation that fabrication of the signs cannot proceed until approval of the route is completed via FHWA; thus this routing is, for now, a proposal.

If approved and designated, the Interstate would begin at the I-40/NC 147 interchange (exit 279) then go north running concurrently with NC 147 to the East End Connector, where it will switch to US 70. Continuing north concurrently with US 70, it will end at the I-85/US 15/US 70 interchange (exit 178). The existing exit numbers now on NC 147 and US 70 would be replaced by I-885.

No official request has been submitted to the  American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) or FHWA as this route is currently proposed by NCDOT and is subject to change. The East End Connector is scheduled to be completed by June 2021