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09/13/2023 10:31 am

Western BRT

Wake BRT: Western Planning and Design

Connecting Raleigh and Cary with frequent and reliable transit

Updated: Sep 13, 2023

Western Corridor 

Wake BRT: Western Boulevard Corridor Study, Council Resolution, and CP-10-21 were approved (7-1 vote) by the Raleigh City Council after the official public hearing held on June 7, 2022.

Thanks to all the community members and stakeholders who engaged and actively participated in this planning effort over the last couple of years. The next phase of implementation will kick off soon.  

To learn more about the ongoing TOD Mapping process for the Western corridor, please visit the TOD Mapping project webpage.

The Wake BRT: Western Boulevard Corridor will connect downtown Raleigh with downtown Cary.

Project Details

 
Type:
Transportation Improvements
Project Lead:
Transportation - Transit Division
Contractors:
WSP

Contact

 

Het Patel
BRT Planning and Design
919-996-5120

Lead Department:
Transportation
Participating Department:
Planning and DevelopmentEngineering Services
Service Unit:
Public Transportation

Subscribe

 

This project supports

Raleigh's Climate Plan in Action

Planning

Project Overview

In November of 2016, Wake County voters approved a plan for focused investment in public transit which puts the implementation of the Wake County Transit Plan in motion. The plan calls for building approximately 20 miles of transit lanes along with four (4) Bus Rapid Transit corridors within Wake County (Wake BRT).

The planning phase began in 2019 with the Western Boulevard Corridor Study (WBCS). The goal of the study was to create a plan for BRT implementation that capitalized on the unique opportunities BRT will bring to the corridor. Land use capacity, urban form, and a locally preferred alternative (LPA) were studied by a consultant team. View the consultant’s Final Report and the TOD Precedent Book on these technical items.

Over the last two years, residents, businesses, and other stakeholders shaped a plan for opportunities around the BRT investments for Western Boulevard. On September 21, 2021, the City Council had asked the Planning Commission to review the recommendations of the Western Boulevard Corridor Study. The Committee also reviewed the recommended Amendments to Raleigh’s 2030 Comprehensive Plan that are intended to help implement the Western Boulevard plan.

The Planning Commission reviewed this item at their meetings held in November, January, and February. On February 8, 2022, the Planning Commission voted (6-2) to recommend approval of the Wake BRT: Western Boulevard corridor study and the associated CP-10-21 with amendments. The Planning Commission recommends the removal of the proposed street connections in two areas of the Jones Franklin intersection- the Fieldspring Lane connection and the Plaza West shopping center connection shown in CP-10C-21.

If you missed the Ask-A-Planner event, view the recording of the event below.

Wake BRT: Western Boulevard Corridor Study - November 3rd Ask-A-Planner eEvent Video Recording

Phase Contacts

 

Dhanya Sandeep
Planning Supervisor
Planning and Development
919-996-2659
Dhanya.Sandeep@raleighnc.gov

Lead Department:
Planning and Development

Design

The preliminary design phase (0 to 30 percent) for the Western Corridor BRT is underway. The corridor is approximately 12 miles. It will operate in both dedicated transit lanes and mixed traffic between GoRaleigh station in downtown Raleigh and downtown Cary. The final location and number of BRT stations along the corridor will be determined during the preliminary design phase.

As of Summer 2022, the Western Corridor project has reached the 10% design milestone.

Current Activity

  • Continue coordination with Town of Cary, NC State University and NCDOT about existing capital projects along the corridor.
  • Continue preliminary design work (0 to 30 percent) including BRT lanes in the roadway, known as runningways, and station locations.
Map of Western Boulevard and the stations planned for Bus Rapid Transit

Next Steps

 

The next round of public engagement is anticipated in Fall 2022, which will include updated design plans for the Western Corridor BRT project.

Phase Contacts

 

Het Patel
BRT Planning and Design
919-996-5120

Lead Department:
Transportation

Construction

Phase details coming soon.

Lead Department:
Engineering Services

Complete

Phase details coming soon.

Phase Contacts

 

Het Patel
BRT Planning and Design
919-996-5120

Lead Department:
Transportation

History

In 2016, the Wake Transit Plan identified four BRT corridors for implementation. The Western Corridor connecting downtown Raleigh and downtown Cary was one of the corridors identified. The Western Corridor was further evaluated in the Wake Transit Plan Major Investment Study (MIS) completed in 2018.

The planning phase began in 2019 with the Western Boulevard Corridor Study (WBCS). The goal of the study was to create a plan for the successful implementation of BRT service along the corridor. The study analyzed the land use capacity and urban form of the corridor to develop a conceptual land use plan. Additionally, the study recommended a preferred route for the BRT, known as the Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA).  

A kickoff meeting was held in November 2019. Public participation helped to prioritize areas for redevelopment along the corridor. View the survey results. 

Information from the November 2019 kickoff meeting:

Virtual Engagement – September 2020 

In September 2020, the City of Raleigh staff hosted a virtual Q&A session for the Western Boulevard Corridor Study. Following the virtual engagement, a Frequently Asked Questions document was developed for public review.

Virtual Engagement – November 2020 

In November 2020, the City of Raleigh staff and consultants hosted a Virtual Open House to provide an overview of the BRT program, provide project-specific updates and gather public and stakeholder feedback. 

Virtual Engagement - May 2021

In May 2021, the City of Raleigh staff and consultants hosted a second Virtual Open House to provide an overview of the BRT program, project-specific updates, and gather public and stakeholder feedback.

Public Hearing - June 2022

The public hearing opened at the City Council meeting on April 5, 2022 (presentation), and resumed during the June 7 evening City Council meeting. Wake BRT: Western Boulevard Corridor Study, Council Resolution, and CP-10-21 were approved (7-1 vote) by the Raleigh City Council after the official public hearing held on June 7, 2022.

Schedule

Date Event
2018 Wake Transit Plan Major Investment Study
2019 Western Boulevard Corridor Study Begins
Fall 2020 Western Corridor Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) Selected
Winter 2020 0–30% Design Begins
Summer 2022 Western Boulevard Corridor Study Complete
Fall 2023 Federal Small Starts Application
Spring 2024 30% Design Complete

Resources

 

Main BRT Project Page

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