DOT repair work on EASTBOUND I-40 will keep two right lanes closed until late afternoon Saturday between I-540 (Exit 283) and Aviation Parkway (Exit 285). The work is needed repair damage from Friday's tractor trailer accident to pavement and guard rails.

A tractor trailer accident has slowed traffic on EASTBOUND Interstate 40 at Airport Boulevard (Exit 284). Two eastbound lanes were expected to reopen about 6:30 p.m. But two other eastbound lanes will remain closed until sometime Saturday, DOT officials said.

Tonight: Weather permitting, Lane Construction Corp. continues pavement repair on eastbound I-40 between NC 751 (Exit 274, south Durham and Streets at Southpoint) and NC 55 (Exit 278, RTP). Two outside lanes of EASTBOUND I-40 will be closed, with backups of more than two miles expected. You can't use the Fayetteville Road ramps (Exit 276, Streets at Southpoint) to get on or off eastbound I-40 tonight, from 8pm to 6am.

WESTBOUND traffic and ramps are NOT affected. Detours will be marked to send travelers to other interchanges.

Later this week: More work on EASTBOUND interchanges.

This weekend: Expect round-the-clock, day-and-night work to reduce traffic to one lane on WESTBOUND I-40 between NC 54 (Exit 273) and US 15-501 (Exit 270). All eastbound lanes will remain open.

Meanwhile:

1) Express your I-40 angst. Let the rest of us know how these detours work out for you, or recommend another shortcut. Let me know if you've been caught in I-40 backups. Please email me or weigh in on our I-40 forum.

2) DOWNLOAD OUR ALTERNATE ROUTE maps for WESTBOUND and EASTBOUND travel. These are road-tested maps with driver-friendly directions to help you navigate and evaluate two recommended routes for skirting construction delays:

* Westbound NC 147 Durham Freeeway / I-85 (a good road to take even during a DOT holiday) or Westbound NC 147 Durham Freeway / US 15-501.

* Eastbound I-85 / NC 147 Durham Freeway or Eastbound US 15-501 / NC 147 Durham Freeway

3) Check back at I-40 Worrier every night for the latest on repair plans, including DOT webcams and updates on traffic backups.

4) Here are some useful links:

* NCDOT: I-40 work schedule
* NCDOT: I-40 traffic delays
* NCDOT: I-40 Durham Work Zone
* Crosstown Traffic: I-40
* Road Worrier
* traffic.com: Raleigh-Durham

- Bruce Siceloff

Tonight: Weather permitting, Lane Construction Corp. continues pavement repair on eastbound I-40 between NC 54 (Exit 273, Chapel Hill) and Fayetteville Road (Exit 275, Southpoint). Two outside lanes of EASTBOUND I-40 will be closed, with two-mile backups expected. You can't use the NC 751 ramps (Exit 274, south Durham and Streets at Southpoint) to get on or off eastbound I-40 tonight, from 8pm to 6am.

WESTBOUND traffic and ramps are NOT affected. Detours will be marked to send travelers to other interchanges.

Later this week: More work on EASTBOUND interchanges.

Sunday morning update:  Lane Construction Corp. will continue working in WESTBOUND lanes until 6 a.m. Monday. Original plans described below called for ending westbound work at noon today.  Lane will stick with its plans to start working today in EASTBOUND lanes also.

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This weekend: Weather permitting, a switcheroo weekend on I-40 in Durham, with more confusion than usual.

-- From 8pm tonight to noon Sunday, Lane Construction Corp. plans marathon, round-the-clock work on WESTBOUND I-40 from Fayetteville Road (Exit 276, Streets at Southpoint) to NC 54 (Exit 273, Chapel Hill).
-- From noon Sunday to 6am Monday, Lane switches directions and works on EASTBOUND I-40 from Fayetteville Road (Exit 276, Streets at Southpoint) to NC 55 (Exit 278, south Durham and Research Triangle Park).

Next week: Weather permitting, Lane resumes pavement repair at the on-off ramps for EASTBOUND I-40. Each night from 8pm to 6am, the two outside lanes of EASTBOUND I-40 are closed, with traffic reduced to one lane. Ramps are closed, so you cannot use the interchange to get on or off EASTBOUND I-40.
* Monday 7/23 and Tuesday 7/24: NC 751 (Exit 274, south Durham and Streets at Southpoint) eastbound ramps closed.
* Wednesday 7/25 and Thursday 7/26: Fayetteville Road (Exit 276, Streets at Southpoint) eastbound ramps closed.

Next weekend (7/27-7/29): The eighth of nine marathon weekends with round-the-clock repair and delays. WESTBOUND travel reduced to one lane from N.C. 54 (Exit 273, Chapel Hill) to US 15-501 (Exit 270, west Durham and northern Chapel Hill).

Meanwhile:

1) Express your I-40 angst. Let the rest of us know how these detours work out for you, or recommend another shortcut. Let me know if you've been caught in I-40 backups. Please email me or weigh in on our I-40 forum.

2) DOWNLOAD OUR ALTERNATE ROUTE maps for WESTBOUND and EASTBOUND travel. These are road-tested maps with driver-friendly directions to help you navigate and evaluate two recommended routes for skirting construction delays:

* Westbound NC 147 Durham Freeeway / I-85 (a good road to take even during a DOT holiday) or Westbound NC 147 Durham Freeway / US 15-501.

* Eastbound I-85 / NC 147 Durham Freeway or Eastbound US 15-501 / NC 147 Durham Freeway

3) Check back at I-40 Worrier every night for the latest on repair plans, including DOT webcams and updates on traffic backups.

4) Here are some useful links:

* NCDOT: I-40 work schedule
* NCDOT: I-40 traffic delays
* NCDOT: I-40 Durham Work Zone
* Crosstown Traffic: I-40
* Road Worrier
* traffic.com: Raleigh-Durham

Tonight: Weather permitting, Lane Construction Corp. resumes pavement repair at the on-off ramps for EASTBOUND I-40 at N.C. 54 (Exit 273, Chapel Hill). You can't use the NC 54 exit to get on or off eastbound I-40 tonight, from 8pm to 6am.

Tonight: Weather permitting, Lane Construction Corp. continues pavement repair at the on-off ramps for EASTBOUND I-40 at N.C. 54 (Exit 273, Chapel Hill). You can't use the NC 54 exit to get on or off eastbound I-40 tonight, from 8pm to 6am.

Tonight: Weather permitting, Lane Construction Corp. repairs pavement at the on-off ramps for EASTBOUND I-40 at N.C. 54 (Exit 273, Chapel Hill). You can't use the NC 54 exit to get on or off eastbound I-40 tonight.