Site work and paving for a road / highway in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Conceptual plans call for site work for a road / highway; and for paving for a road / highway.

https://www.forconstructionpros.com/infrastructure/article/22933120/st-wooten-modernizing-a-vital-stretch-of-i95-in-north-carolina As a key transportation corridor for the East Coast, I-95 plays a critical role in moving goods and travelers to their destinations. However, one particularly congested segment between Dunn and Fayetteville, North Carolina, had endured over 50 years without substantial upgrades, resulting in bottlenecks and outdated infrastructure. In late 2019, work began on a transformative $400+ million design-build project to modernize this stretch of I-95, which serves nearly 60,000 vehicles daily. The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) partnered with S.T. Wooten to oversee the effort, focusing on widening the highway and bringing the corridor up to contemporary engineering and safety standards. Comprehensive overhaul The I-95 modernization project has focused on doubling capacity between Exits 55 and 72, expanding the highway from four lanes to eight. Initial construction on a three-mile segment was designed by the NCDOT, while S.T. Wooten collaborated with RK&K Engineering to plan and construct the remaining 15 miles. In addition to widening the roadway, construction has involved significant structural enhancements. The S. T. Wooten team has built 13 bridges to meet modern engineering standards. Upgrades include the replacement of nine existing bridges over I-95, one new bridge over I-95, two new bridges that have replaced old undersized box culverts, and lastly a new single bridge along I-95 replacing two older bridges. On top of the bridge work the project required, three noise walls have been built and construction of a fourth noise added to the project scope is about to begin very soon. Stormwater management systems have also been overhauled. Crews have installed ten new culverts: replacing four aging culverts and five existing pipes to improve drainage. Five roundabouts have been constructed at key interchanges and construction of two more will begin shortly. These roundabouts will ease traffic flow for local vehicles entering and exiting the interstate while accommodating the heavy daily traffic. Overcoming obstacles Scale and complexity have presented unique challenges for the I-95 job, particularly the need to maintain traffic flow along one of the nation's busiest highways. Unlike other construction sites, traffic volumes remain consistently high throughout the day, with heavy trucks generating noise and wind that complicate work zone conditions. To minimize disruptions, phased construction and night shifts have been critical. During early phases, traffic was routed through temporarily-widened inside lanes, while the newly designed outer lanes were constructed. Weather delays, especially in the rain-prone Sandhills region, have also prompted crews to adapt schedules and add shifts to keep the project on track. Perseverance and safety While labor shortages have been an industry-wide obstacle for years, they became a heightened concern during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, having anticipated some of the staffing challenges during the previous winter, S.T. Wooten was able to put contingency plans in place to help maximize the schedule for the benefit of the project and the crew members. Safety has remained a top priority throughout the project, given the heightened risks of working in a heavily trafficked environment. The high noise levels and constant vehicle movement require crew members to always stay vigilant. Crews are trained to maintain a high level of awareness in the busy work zone, where efficient equipment set-up and breakdown minimize disruptions to traffic. To enhance both worker and driver safety, the project utilized a Smart Work Zone. Equipped with digital sensors, cameras, speed limit signs and real-time message boards, the system monitors traffic conditions, alerts emergency services to incidents and keeps drivers informed. Strong communication between crews has also been instrumental in reducing work zone risks, ensuring that everyone remains safe as progress continues. Enhancements to the plan While the original scope of the I-95 project is nearly finished, the NCDOT has added new tasks and change orders that have extended the deadline for completion. These adjustments are common in large-scale infrastructure projects and reflect efforts to refine details and ensure the best outcomes for the public. Redesigns for roundabouts at Exits 58, 61 and 65 were completed in 2024, adding a new roundabout at the southbound Exit 58 ramp. Plans have also been finalized for a noise wall at the southern end of the project along northbound I-95 near White Plains Drive. The expanded scope has pushed the completion date from May 2024 to December 2025, ensuring the upgraded highway exceeds modern standards. Finish line in sight Successful execution of the I-95 project is a testament to the collaborative efforts of S.T. Wooten's crew members, NCDOT officials and more than 20 subcontractors. Despite facing challenges, the team's dedication and innovative problem-solving have kept the project efficiently moving toward completion later this year. Once finished, the expanded I-95 stretch will provide a safer, more efficient route for travelers. The upgrades will alleviate congestion, improve emergency response times and accommodate growing transportation demands. The project team is ultimately leaving a lasting legacy, one that will have a positive impact on this vital corridor for generations to come. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- https://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/news/2025/02/11/nc-interstate-95-tolls-general-assembly-bill.html North Carolina bill would prohibit I-95 tolls for 10 years. No active plans exist to toll I-95 in North Carolina. I-95 widening was estimated to cost over $5 billion in 2017. A bill working its way through the General Assembly would block tolls on Interstate 95 in North Carolina. The legislation, called "I-95 Toll Prohibition," would prohibit tolls on the interstate for 10 years and require prior approval of the General Assembly before any such action is taken in the future. But the reason for the bill is unclear. None of the bill's primary sponsors, state senators Buck Newton, Benton Sawrey and Lisa Barnes, returned repeated requests to comment on the measure. They each represent counties where I-95 runs through. Neither the North Carolina Turnpike Authority or the North Carolina Department of Transportation, say they were consulted about the proposed law. There are no active plans to put tolls on I-95. "It's something that's unpopular and it's not something that's being sought," NCDOT spokesman Andrew Barksdale said, adding that while there had been studies on the possibility years ago, there's no conversations happening regarding tolls on I-95. But there's also no plan for widening the entire stretch, something officials have said could be needed to keep up with interstate traffic volumes. I-95, built in the 1950s and '60s, is primarily a four-lane highway through North Carolina. The state recently released its draft budget for highway construction for the next 10 years. It does not include plans for additional widening work on I-95. I-95 has repeatedly been labeled a key piece of East Coast infrastructure. During President Donald Trump's first term, I-95 repairs made Trump's list of the nation's top 52 infrastructure projects. At the time the project was described as a $1.5 billion effort that would result in 5,400 direct jobs. In 2017, widening the full stretch of I-95 in the state was estimated to cost $5 billion. But "it would easily be a lot higher than that now," Barksdale, with NCDOT, said about the cost. In 2016, NCDOT said it would be unable to accelerate I-95 improvements because the state's Strategic Transportation Investments law restricted the amount of Highway Trust Fund revenues that could be spent on any single project or corridor. A previous NCDOT study showed that toll revenues could pay for improvements along the entire stretch within two decades of the start of construction. According to that report, traditional public funding would "at best" require 60 years to complete the same program. But even mentioning tolls prompted severe pushback, according to Barksdale. So no plan was ever moved forward. I-95 runs for 182 miles in North Carolina. Of that, just 53 miles in the southern portion of the state is under contract to be widened to eight lanes. So far NCDOT has spent $2.2 billion on design, right-of-way, acquisition, utility relocations and construction contracts for the stretch that is budgeted. Most of the project has been paid for by the state's Highway Trust Fund, which comes from the motor fuels tax. For additional work to happen, there would need to be the dollars to pay for it. But even if tolls were someday an option, the proposal wouldn't come from NCDOT, according to J.J. Eden, director of the North Carolina Turnpike Authority. He said those recommendations come from local communities and metropolitan organizations. "We don't go out and solicit or market [for tolls]," he said. The I-95 Toll Prohibition bill, Senate Bill 61, was filed Feb 5. It passed its first reading and was referred to the senate Committee on Rules and Operations of the Senate. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ I-95 From the Robeson County Line to Nc 53/210. Pavement Rehabilitation County : Cumberland Route - I-95 Length (Miles) - 10.28 As of Aug 11, 2025, the Project is in Conceptual Status. Anticipated Letting Year is 2029. NCDOT - Pavement Rehabilitation - I-95 *project Information Has Been Obtained Through a Public State Transportation Improvement Plan (Stip). A Stip is a Financial Schedule for Short- and Long-range Projects Which is Updated Regularly. Information Listed in the Stip Often Evolves Based on Funding Availability. The Project Details, Including Timeline and Value, Are Subject to Change. The Content Management Team Will Continue to Pursue Additional Details as They Become Available.