Final Segment of I-295 Fayetteville Outer Loop Set to Open Early on Nov. 25

The last part of Interstate 295, known as the Fayetteville Outer Loop, is set for a ribbon-cutting event at 11 a.m. Tuesday by the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT). This new section, opening earlier than planned, completes a loop around the city.

The event, open to the public, will be held in the southbound lanes of I-295. It will happen between the Little Rockfish Creek bridge and Strickland Bridge Road overpass. Attendees should get to the ceremony via the Raeford Road interchange for I-295.

After the event ends, traffic will start moving on the new road, according to NCDOT. Initially, this part was supposed to open by summer 2026, but construction wrapped up early.

Construction on the Outer Loop kicked off in July 1999. The first segment opened in 2003, connecting Ramsey Street to River Road near Wade. Now complete, the loop creates a full beltway over 39 miles.

The highway begins at Interstate 95 at U.S. 13 near Eastover. It loops west to north Fayetteville, heads toward Fort Bragg and the All American Freeway, goes south to Raeford Road, and curves back southeast around Hope Mills to connect again to I-95 near Parkton.

Planners designed the project to cut down on traffic congestion, especially from Fort Bragg, and improve access to I-95, making travel simpler.

The last section stretches 5 miles from Raeford Road to Camden Road, with a $151.8 million contract approved in 2022.

By August 2025, nearly 30 miles of the loop had been opened to local traffic. Ramps to I-95 North became operational at the loop's southern end in April that year, showcasing steady progress.