Construction began in April 2014 on I-73 from NC 68, near PTI Airport, to US 220 near the Haw River. Seven miles of this section to US 220 in Summerfield opened May 19, 2017 while the remainder opened the evening of July 2, 2017. The latest segment of I-73 being completed was a segment along a widened section of US 220 from near the Haw River north to its intersection with NC 68. Two contracts, one widening US 220, Project R-2413C, which started in May 2012, the other reconfiguring the NC 68 intersection into an interchange, started in September 2015, were completed in December 2017. The new NC 68 South interchange opened in May 2017. I-73 signs, including an End I-73 sign beyond the NC 68 exit, were put up in March 2018.