Fayetteville, NC — A historic milestone arrives this Tuesday as the final segment of the I-295 Outer Loop officially opens to the public, completing a decades-long project that will transform travel throughout Cumberland County. The ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for 11 a.m., accessible by entering Interstate 295 from Raeford Road and heading south onto the new stretch of highway.
A Major Turning Point for the Fayetteville Outer Loop
With the final connection between U.S. 401 (Raeford Road) and Camden Road now complete, motorists will be able to travel the entire Outer Loop continuously for the first time. The completed beltway links I-95 in northern Cumberland County with I-95 near the Robeson County line, fulfilling a vision conceptualized many years ago to create a full, efficient bypass around the city.
Route Completion and New Connectivity
This newly opened section ties the western side of the loop to the portion between Camden Road and I-95, which became operational in July 2024. Together, these connections form a nearly 39-mile corridor that wraps around the western, northern, and eastern sides of Fayetteville.
The loop begins at Raeford Road, extends south to Camden Road, continues toward the Parkton area, intersects with I-95 South, stretches upward across Eastover, loops around the northern side near Murchison Road and Ramsey Street, and eventually reconnects toward western Fayetteville.
Costs and Years of Construction
The Fayetteville Outer Loop is one of the region’s largest transportation investments, with a cumulative cost exceeding $1 billion. Construction has unfolded over several decades and in multiple phases, with initial groundwork near Ramsey Street and Eastover completed in 2003.
Much of the current loop construction traces back to contracts awarded in 2017, with major expansion beginning in spring 2019. The final Raeford Road–Camden Road segment alone represents approximately $152 million in construction costs, including new bridges, drainage improvements, grading, and interchange development.
Originally projected for completion in 2026, the final segment opens ahead of schedule—an early arrival that marks one of Cumberland County’s most significant infrastructure achievements.
Benefits for Drivers and Local Corridors
The full I-295 loop is expected to ease congestion on several heavily traveled corridors throughout Fayetteville. Residents familiar with Raeford Road, Gillis Hill Road, and the Walmart/Good Middling Drive area often experience long backups during peak hours. The completed loop is designed to divert a substantial portion of through-traffic, providing drivers with faster, alternative routes across the county.
As development continues near Gillis Hill Road and Raeford Road—including new commercial expansion—residents have raised concerns about increasing congestion. The new Outer Loop is anticipated to help offset some of that traffic pressure by offering another major east-west route and diverting vehicles from crowded surface streets.
Regional and Economic Impact
Transportation officials emphasize that the project will significantly enhance mobility around Fayetteville and improve access to key highways including NC-87, NC-24/210, US-401, and both ends of I-95. The completed loop strengthens travel options for Fort Bragg’s military community, improves emergency response times, increases freight movement capacity, and supports long-term economic growth across Cumberland County.
A Milestone for the Region
With Tuesday’s opening, the Fayetteville region celebrates a long-awaited accomplishment — smoother travel, stronger connectivity, and the completion of a transformative infrastructure project decades in the making. The I-295 Outer Loop now stands as a completed beltway that will serve residents, businesses, and travelers for generations to come.
Kres Thomas, FayToday News
