The planning phase began in 2012 with the New Bern Avenue Corridor Study. The study gave recommendations for improving the appearance of the corridor and strategies for revitalizing the area with economic development. The study also suggested ways to support pedestrian, bicycle and transit use along the corridor with a vision for Bus Rapid Transit. 

In 2016, the Wake Transit Plan identified four (4) BRT corridors for implementation by 2027. The New Bern Avenue Corridor connecting from Downtown Raleigh to WakeMed/New Hope was one (1) of the corridors identified. The New Bern Avenue Corridor was evaluated further through the Wake Transit Plan Major Investment Study (MIS) which was completed in 2018. 

In 2016, the Wake Transit Plan identified four BRT corridors for implementation by 2027. The New Bern Avenue Corridor connecting from Downtown Raleigh to WakeMed/New Hope was one of the corridors identified. The New Bern Avenue Corridor was evaluated further through the Wake Transit Plan Major Investment Study (MIS) which was completed in 2018.

In order to gather public input, two Design Open Houses were held. 

The first Design Open House occurred on June 25, 2019 to present the benefits of BRT and show preliminary station locations and BRT design concepts. Based off comments and feedback received, a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) was created. 

• Design Open House Boards
• Design Open House FAQ's
• Survey Results

The second Design Open House was held on October 29, 2019 to present updated preliminary station locations and display updated BRT design concepts.  A presentation was given during the Design Open House and a summary handout was available.

• Design Open House Boards
• Design Open House Presentation
• Summary Handout
• Survey Results

This phase is complete. 

Approximately 3.3 miles of the 5.1-mile corridor will use dedicated transit lanes between the GoRaleigh Station, in downtown Raleigh, and Sunnybrook Road.

BRT will share the general traffic lanes for the remainder of the corridor between Sunnybrook Road and New Hope Road. 

History of the project

In November of 2016, Wake County voters approved a plan for focused investment in public transit, which put the implementation of the Wake County Transit Plan in motion. The plan calls for building approximately 20 miles of transit lanes along four (4) Bus Rapid Transit corridors within Wake County (Wake BRT). New Bern Avenue is one of those corridors. Since a pedestrian project was already in the planning phase along a section of New Bern Avenue and due to the high transit ridership along the corridor, it was decided that New Bern Avenue would be the first BRT corridor constructed.    

In early March 2020, the City Council passed a motion that combined the New Bern Avenue Pedestrian Project with the Wake BRT: New Bern Avenue Project.

Combining these two projects allowed the installation of enhanced pedestrian facilities and eliminated back-to-back construction along the corridor.

Past Design Public Engagement 

Virtual Open House Nov. 2022

In November, the team held a Virtual Open House. The purpose of the open house was to provide an update on the project's progress. Along with web updates and a live virtual Q&A session, there were several in-person drop-in style sessions throughout the month. 

Virtual Engagement - May 2021

In May 2021, City staff and consultants hosted a Virtual Open House to gather public and stakeholder feedback and provide an update on the corridor design, as well as station design, branding, and art. 

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. 

The Right of Way and Easement Acquisition phase of the project is complete. Survey crews marked proposed easements, and the City's Real Estate Analysts contacted people whose property will be impacted. 

Have Question?

For questions about real estate, contact Real Estate Analyst, Greg Pittman.

For questions about the project design, contact the Project Manager, Sam Brewer, PE

Fall 2022 Project Update Video

Watch this video to learn more about the Right of Way and Easement Acquisition phase of the project. 

Project Updates 

July 20, 2026

Tree and shrub clearing starts this week! 

Crews have started clearing trees and shrubs along New Bern Avenue between Poole Road and Sunnybrook Road. The first section scheduled for clearing is the median. This will allow crews to start the underground utility work between Poole Road and Raleigh Blvd. While the underground utility work is underway, clearing crews will continue their work. They will remove trees and shrubs along the outbound side of New Bern and then switch to the inbound lanes. 

Please be advised that bus stops along this section of the roadway may need to be moved and, in some cases, will be closed during major clearing operations. Visit GoRaleigh for transit updates. 

Crews are also still working between Swain Street and Person Street. From East Street to Person Street, a team continues work replacing the aging watermain in the outbound right travel lane. There is also a crew working between Swain Street and State Street, replacing the old sanitary sewer line in the left outbound travel lane. 

Lane closure information

The right lane of New Bern is closed between Person Street and East Street, and then it transitions to the far left lane, between Swain Street and State Street. The middle lane is closed between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to give crews enough room to complete their work safely. 

While clearing operations are underway there will be intermittent lane closures between Poole Road and Sunny Brook Road. 

Please drive slowly through the work zone and keep an eye out for traffic shifts and construction crews.    

June 22, 2026

The second construction contractor started placing their erosion control on Monday, June 22, 2026. This team is starting at Poole Road and will work its way toward WakeMed and the I-440 overpass. Once erosion control is in place, the team will start their clearing operations. 

June 8, 2026

New parking restrictions 

There will be no parking on New Bern Avenue from Person Street to State Street. The parking restriction allows the contractor to complete work on the aging waterline. The right lane of New Bern Will also be closed in this section, and the middle lane is closed between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to give crews enough room to complete their work safely. 

May 8, 2026

The right lane of outbound New Bern Avenue is closed to traffic between East Street and State Street while crews replace the aging waterline. The middle lane of traffic is also closed to traffic between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to give crews enough room to safely complete their work.  

A team completed the tree clearing between East and State Streets. Removing the trees allows the team to continue with the waterline replacement, as many of the tree roots have grown around the current waterline. This work will also allow for the construction of the new multi-use path that will run the length of the project. 

On-street parking is restricted along this section of the project. Please do not park on either side of New Bern Avenue within the project limits.