I’ve been watching the I-295 outer loop project for a while now. The full 39-mile loop around Fayetteville completed in November 2025, and honestly, I think a lot of people outside this market don’t fully appreciate what it means for commercial real estate here.
A complete beltway changes everything. Traffic patterns shift. Commute times change. Land that was “out there” suddenly becomes accessible. And most importantly for commercial property owners — value equations get rewritten.
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**Proximity to Loop**: Direct access or visible from loop is tier-one. Every mile away from the loop lowers your pricing power. -
**Anchor Development**: Is there mixed-use or entertainment development near your property? This drives traffic and supports higher tenant demand. -
**Future Expansion Plans**: Know what commercial development is planned near your property. Loop expansion and new anchors can significantly impact value.
What the loop actually does
Before I-295 completed, getting across Fayetteville was a headache. You were either cutting through town on surface streets or going way out of your way. Now there’s a limited-access freeway that circles the entire metro. Trucks can move from I-95 to the western side of the market without touching a single traffic light.
Outer Loop Proximity Creates Price Tiers
Where your property sits relative to I-295 Outer Loop determines its market positioning:
- Direct Outer Loop access or visibility: Premium rents, strong tenant demand, higher buyer interest
- Close to loop but backroad access: Good rents, steady demand, moderate buyer interest
- Away from loop (1+ miles): Lower rents, longer vacancy, pressure to compete on price and concessions
For industrial users, that’s massive. Logistics companies want highway access without urban congestion. Manufacturers want their trucks in and out efficiently. The I-295 interchanges give them exactly that.
| I-295 Interchange Area | Commercial Potential | Current Development Stage |
|---|---|---|
| I-295 / I-95 interchange (north) | Logistics, distribution | Active development |
| I-295 / Cliffdale Road | Flex, retail, mixed-use | Growing interest |
| I-295 / Raeford Road | Commercial service, retail | Early stage |
| I-295 / NC-87 South | Industrial, land | Mostly undeveloped |
| I-295 / US-401 (Ramsey Street) | Retail, flex, commercial land | Growing interest |
I-95 widening makes it even better
Pair the completed outer loop with the $708.9 million I-95 widening project and you’ve got a market that’s going to be significantly better connected than it was even two years ago. These infrastructure investments don’t just improve traffic flow — they change which properties are desirable and which aren’t.
Properties near the new interchanges that were marginal before are now in play. Land parcels that sat for years because they were too far from the highway are now five minutes from a ramp. That’s a fundamental shift.
What this means for sellers
If you own commercial property along the I-295 corridor or near one of the new interchanges, your property is probably worth more today than it was three years ago. Not because you did anything — because the infrastructure came to you.
Related: Hampstead and the US-17 North Corridor
Related: Hold or Sell Your Commercial Property: How to Decide
I bought a small industrial building near the Cliffdale Road interchange area about 18 months ago. At the time, the loop was almost done but not quite complete. Since the final section opened, I’ve seen more tenant interest and better rent quotes than I expected. The access improvement is real and tenants notice.
Flip side — if you own a commercial building along one of the old surface-street corridors that used to carry through-traffic, and that traffic has now shifted to I-295, that’s worth thinking about. Traffic diversion is a real thing. Some interior corridors may see less activity as the beltway captures trips that used to flow through town.
Where I’m focused
I’m actively looking at industrial and flex properties near the I-295 interchanges. Also interested in land parcels along the outer loop that are zoned or could be zoned for commercial development. And I’m keeping an eye on the I-95 corridor between Fayetteville and Smithfield where the widening project will improve access.
This is one of those moments where infrastructure investment creates a window for sellers. The new roads are built. The demand is responding. And values are reflecting that. If you’ve been holding property in this area, it might be a good time to see what it’s worth.
Seller takeaway
Cumberland County’s commercial landscape is being redrawn by the Outer Loop. If you own property away from the loop or in traditional corridors, understanding how this shift affects your value is critical. Call Roth Capital at 704-600-3839.
Want to know what your property is worth in this new corridor? Give me a call. 704-600-3839.
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