A major highway connection in North Carolina is now open to traffic, completing an important section of the Winston-Salem Northern Beltway and extending the Interstate 74 corridor through eastern Forsyth County. FlatironDragados delivered the $133 million project for the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), reaching substantial completion on November 9, 2026.
The eastern section includes more than 1.5 miles of new roadway, seven bridges and one interchange. The infrastructure provides a new connection between U.S. Highway 52, the eastern and southeastern areas of Winston-Salem, Interstate 40 and existing sections of Interstate 74 toward High Point.
With the section open, motorists have an additional route around the city rather than travelling through downtown streets to reach regional highway connections.
The completed roadway establishes the eastern portion of the Northern Beltway's connection through Forsyth County and completes the I-74 corridor on the county's east side.
The interchange and bridge infrastructure support connections between existing highways and the newly constructed beltway section. The project adds capacity to the regional road network while changing traffic patterns around Winston-Salem.
For NCDOT and regional road users, the project provides a new highway route linking major transportation corridors and reducing the need for through traffic to pass through downtown Winston-Salem. The completion also represents a significant addition to North Carolina's highway infrastructure, improving connectivity between the city and surrounding communities.
Source: Flatiron Dragados.
