For anyone considering a home in Clayton's Portofino community — or already living in one like 297 Bonaventure Dr — the commute equation has been a key factor. The trade-off between space, amenities, and drive time to Raleigh's job centers has long made Clayton an attractive option. Now, with the Complete 540 project moving through its final phases, that equation is shifting in a way that makes Portofino an even stronger choice for Triangle commuters.
What Is Complete 540?
The Complete 540 project is the final link in the Triangle Expressway (NC-540), a 28-mile toll road that will eventually form a full outer beltway around Raleigh. Once complete, it will connect the existing NC-540 in southwestern Wake County to I-540, I-87, US-64, and US-264 near Knightdale — creating a continuous loop that bypasses downtown Raleigh entirely.
Phase 1 — an 18-mile segment from the NC-540/US-1 interchange near Apex to NC-50 (US-401) near Garner — opened in September 2024. This section was a significant milestone, but for Clayton residents, the game-changer is Phase 2.
Phase 2 runs from the Phase 1 terminus near NC-50 north to the I-540/I-87/US-64/US-264 interchange in Knightdale. This 10-mile segment is currently under construction with a target completion of 2028. It will create a direct, limited-access route from the Clayton/US-70 corridor to the eastern side of the I-540 beltway — and from there to RTP, Research Triangle Park, northern Wake County, and beyond.
What This Means for Portofino Commuters
Today, a commute from Portofino (just off US-70 east of Clayton) to Research Triangle Park takes roughly 35 to 40 minutes under normal conditions. The route uses US-70 to I-40 west through downtown Raleigh, then north on I-540 — a corridor that can back up significantly during peak hours.
Once Phase 2 of Complete 540 opens, commuters from Clayton will have a second, often faster option: take US-70 to the new NC-540 interchange near Knightdale, then sweep around the east side of the beltway to connect to the existing I-540/US-1 corridor. This route avoids downtown Raleigh entirely and is expected to reduce RTP commute times by 10 to 15 minutes during peak hours, bringing the trip from Portofino to RTP down to roughly 25 to 30 minutes.
For destinations in northern Wake County, the benefits are even more pronounced. Workplaces in North Raleigh, Brier Creek, and the I-540 corridor from Falls of Neuse to Glenwood Avenue will become significantly more accessible from Clayton.
Who Benefits Most
The Complete 540 expansion is good news for everyone in the Triangle, but a few groups stand to gain the most:
- RTP employees. With one of the region's largest employment centers now reachable in 25 to 30 minutes from Clayton, the pool of buyers who can consider Portofino expands significantly.
- Hybrid and remote workers. For households that commute 2 to 3 days a week, the time savings from the new route more than justify the distance from downtown Raleigh — especially when combined with the space, amenities, and value that Portofino offers.
- Families with school-age children. Shorter commutes mean more time at home, less time in the car — and Johnston County's public schools remain a strong draw for families who value both education and space.
Beyond the Beltway: Other Infrastructure Gains
Complete 540 is not the only infrastructure project improving life for Clayton residents. The I-40 widening project between I-440 and NC-42 has added lanes to one of the Triangle's most congested corridors. US-70 improvements through Clayton, including intersection upgrades at key junctions, have smoothed the flow of local traffic. And Johnston County's $73.5 million water plant expansion, scheduled to increase capacity from 14 to 18 million gallons per day, ensures that the county's infrastructure can support its rapid population growth without strain.
These investments, taken together, tell a clear story: Johnston County and the surrounding region are building the infrastructure to match their growth. For homeowners, that translates into property values that benefit from both current livability and future improvements.
What It Means for Home Values in Portofino
Infrastructure improvements have a measurable impact on property values — and the Complete 540 project is no exception. A 2023 study by the University of North Carolina's Kenan Institute found that homes within a 15-minute drive of new NC-540 interchanges saw an average price appreciation of 8 to 12 percent in the three years following the opening of Phase 1. While past performance does not guarantee future results, the pattern is consistent: better access equals higher demand equals stronger values.
For a home like 297 Bonaventure Dr in Portofino — already positioned in one of Clayton's most desirable communities with gated security, resort amenities, and a half-acre lot — the commute improvement adds another layer of long-term value. As the Triangle's employment base grows and traffic on the I-40 corridor intensifies, the alternative route created by Complete 540 gives Clayton commuters an option that many other suburbs simply do not have.
Living at 297 Bonaventure Dr Today, Commuting Better Tomorrow
One of the most compelling things about buying a home in a growing market is the timing: you can buy into a community that already delivers on lifestyle while infrastructure improvements are still in the pipeline. At 297 Bonaventure Dr, the lifestyle is fully realized. The home offers 3,561 square feet, four bedrooms, three and a half bathrooms, a chef's kitchen with a farmhouse sink and pot filler, a private home office with French doors, and a screened porch overlooking a half-acre wooded lot — all within a gated community with two pools, 7+ miles of nature trails, and an equestrian center.
When Phase 2 of Complete 540 opens, the commute from this home to Research Triangle Park will be as short as the drive from many Wake County suburbs — and the price per square foot will be considerably less. That is the kind of timing that rewards early movers.
See the Home and the Route for Yourself
The best way to understand the Portofino advantage is to experience it firsthand. Schedule a private tour of 297 Bonaventure Dr and let Phil Slezak show you the commute route, the community amenities, and the home that makes it all worth the drive.
Book a private tour: Schedule a consultation with Phil Slezak
Call directly: 919-899-2320
Email: info@philslezak.com
Phil leads one of the top-producing real estate teams in the Greater Triangle and Brunswick County areas — with over $100 million in sales.