On Tuesday, Oct. 7, the City Council approved the second construction contract for the Wake Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project on New Bern Avenue. The contract for Area Two, which extends from Poole Road to Sunnybrook Road, was awarded to the Fred Smith Company for $64,676,000.
This section follows the first segment, from downtown Raleigh to Poole Road, which was awarded in July 2025. The City plans to bid vertical stations from downtown to New Hope Road and Area Three, from Sunnybrook Road to New Hope Road, in late 2025 or early 2026. Once complete, the New Bern Avenue BRT line will provide dedicated transit lanes between downtown Raleigh and Sunnybrook Road, improving travel times and reliability for bus riders along this busy corridor.
Construction is expected to begin this fall. City staff are coordinating with utility providers and property owners to minimize the impacts of the work ahead. The full BRT corridor is scheduled for completion by the end of 2028.