WATSONVILLE, CALIF. — Raleigh-Durham Roadbuilders, a joint venture comprised of Archer Western Contractors, Ltd., Atlanta, and Granite Construction Company, Watsonville, received Notice to Proceed by the North Carolina Turnpike Authority (NCTA) to build the Western Wake Freeway section of the Triangle Expressway. Lead designer on the project is THE LPA GROUP of North Carolina, p.a. of Raleigh, N.C.

Financing for the project will be provided by a combination of toll revenue bonds, state appropriation bonds, and a federal Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) loan. The bond offering and the TIFIA loan were successfully executed in July.

When completed, the 12.6-mile Western Wake Freeway will provide a high-speed, multi-lane controlled access toll road to accommodate the increasing transportation demand in the rapidly developing area within the Research Triangle Park area. Scope of the project includes construction of 34 bridges, noise and retaining walls, and drainage systems, as well as installation of all associated lights and signs. Improvements will also be made to various cross streets along the project route.

Construction will begin in the fall of 2009 with the project expected to open to traffic by the end of 2012 and be fully completed in 2013. For more information, visit the NCTA’s website at www.ncturnpike.org.