On September 7, 2011, North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue announced that construction of a part of the eastern leg of the beltway would begin in 2014. The section to be built connects US 158 to I-40 Bus. (now US 421/Salem Parkway). Right-of-way acquisition began in 2012, and cost $34 million; construction was estimated to cost $156 million. Construction on the segment, Project U-2579B; commenced in December 2014, with an anticipated completion date of November 2018. However, after delays, including an opening date of fall 2019, it was finally opened to traffic on September 5, 2020.