New traffic pattern at Raleigh's Wade Ave.: New bridges open, lanes and ramps close Friday night

A pair of new bridges are slated to open at the Wade Avenue interchange on Interstate 440.

The larger of the two bridges will carry westbound Wade Avenue over I-440. Once across the Beltline, drivers will have the option to continue straight or take a new exit for I-440 West by way of the second structure.

To complete the changes, drivers should prepare for a series of overnight lane and ramp closures from 9 p.m. Friday to 9 a.m. Saturday, except where noted otherwise:

• The ramp from westbound I-440 to westbound Wade Avenue
• The ramp from existing westbound Wade Avenue to Blue Ridge Road (closes permanently, traffic detoured to Edwards Mill Road)
• Westbound Wade Avenue will be in a single-lane pattern throughout this area until the shift to the new bridges.
• The eastbound I-440 ramp to westbound Wade Avenue will be reduced to a single lane, followed by a full closure to restripe the ramp once the new bridges open to traffic.
• The eastbound Wade Avenue ramp to I-440 West is scheduled to close about midnight and reopen along with the opening of the new bridges.

Drivers should plan ahead for the new traffic configuration and be mindful of crews working close to the travel lanes throughout the work zone.