Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
2) So many other forums have people screaming about traffic. Is it all relative? I am trying to sculpt a scenario where the home would be in Apex by t̶h̶e̶ 540 and a straight shot to RTP. Whenever I have checked google maps, at rush hour and otherwise it’s always 17 minutes. So I assume those who mention traffic are not talking about t̶h̶e̶ 540? How “full” is t̶h̶e̶ 540 during rush hour? Any idea of usage increase rate over the last few years? Is it so empty that one could foresee a decade of 17 minute commutes before it increases?
Thank you!
Others have provided great input so I'll just edit your post so that it's in the correct regional vernacular.
I live in the "green" in West Cary and we can just barely hear planes inside the house. It's not annoying at all, but we've been here 12 years so maybe we're used to it.
540, while less heavily traveled than 40 or 440, is rapidly becoming busy. I've seen a big increase in volume just in the past 6 months. As Apex & Holly Springs get built out, the traffic gets worse. It will get heavier and heavier. I have no doubt that commute times are going to really increase in the next year or 2.
540, while less heavily traveled than 40 or 440, is rapidly becoming busy. I've seen a big increase in volume just in the past 6 months. As Apex & Holly Springs get built out, the traffic gets worse. It will get heavier and heavier. I have no doubt that commute times are going to really increase in the next year or 2.
It's going to take a LOT more volume for it to be congested enough to increase commute times. That's not going to happen in a year or two.
Olive Chapel elemenary is a very good school with high student success. I know the PTA is very involved at that school and the parent/teacher relationships are strong. With that being said, you'd find the same thing right down the road at Scott's Mill, Baucum, Apex Elem., etc. Most of the schools, especially in Western Wake County are usually very good.
540 from 64/Kelly Rd. or even a bit farther south off S. Salem St. (Old US-1) is a 15-20 minute commute to many areas of RTP. It's a breeze, even during peak times. There will be more volume during peak times, but you won't see a mass slowdown or stop unless there is an accident. While 540 will continue to get busier, no doubt it's still MANY years away from actual congestion.
It's going to take a LOT more volume for it to be congested enough to increase commute times. That's not going to happen in a year or two.
This!
I'm sure within 10-15 years, once the whole loop is created and more people move into SW and southern Wake county you will actually see very limited times of actual slow downs on this road. Within 20-30 years, yeah you might find yourself in similar traffic as the untolled areas currently see during peak times. Of course, in 20-30 years, we might have other options that help alleviate traffic. Better technology allowing autonomous vehicles, better technology allowing even more people to work remotely, etc.
I lived in West Cary from 2003-2007 (Back side of Cary Park, bordering Weldon Ridge Blvd.) and didn't need an alarm clock thanks to the FedEx cargo heavy that woke me up every morning. YMMV.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
