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09/02/2021 4:17 pm

Arial shot of New Bern Avenue

Wake BRT: New Bern Avenue

Connecting downtown Raleigh with WakeMed and New Hope Road with frequent and reliable transit

The Wake BRT: New Bern Avenue will connect downtown Raleigh with WakeMed and New Hope Road. 

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 four (4) Bus Rapid Transit corridors within Wake County (Wake BRT).

Project Details

 
Type:
Transportation Improvements
Project Lead:
Roadway Design & Construction
Contractors:
HNTB

Contact

 

Sean Driskill, PE
Project Manager
919-996-4106

Comment Form

Mila Vega
Planning Supervisor
919-996-4123

Lead Department:
Transportation
Participating Department:
Engineering Services
Service Unit:
Public Transportation

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Planning

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. 
 

Phase Contacts

 

Mila Vega
Planning Supervisor
919-996-4123

Lead Department:
Transportation

Design

Updated Summer 2021

We are in the advanced design stage for the Wake BRT: New Bern Project.

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. 

The City awarded the Advanced Design contract to HNTB in June of 2020.

The project received $35 million in FTA CIG funding in December 2020.

Activity

We held a virtual open house this spring. During this open house we showed the design plans for the corridor and talked with stakeholders about the project. This summer the team continues to to show the design planes to stakeholders along the corridor as the advanced design plans continue to take shape.

Project limits Map

This map outlines the project limits and shows the proposed BRT transit stops along the corridor.

New Bern Avenue Advanced Station Location Map

Next Steps

 
  • Continue meeting with business owners along the corridor about potential impacts of the project;
  • Coordinate with NCDOT about design criteria; and,
  • Start the right of way and easement acquisition phase of project. 

Phase Contacts

 

Sean Driskill, PE
Project Manager
919-996-4106

Lead Department:
Engineering Services

Construction

Construction is scheduled to start in the summer of 2022. Check back for details as we near construction.

Phase Contacts

 

Sean Driskill, PE
Project Manager
919-996-4106

Lead Department:
Engineering Services

Complete

The project is scheduled for completion in the summer of 2024. 

Phase Contacts

 

Mila Vega
Planning Supervisor
919-996-4123

Lead Department:
Transportation

Station Design

The renderings here show what the different style BRT stations will look like along the New Bern Avenue corridor.

This shows what the urban core BRT transit station will look like, the rending here show the one on Wilmington Street.

This images shows the urban core BRT station design. The rendering here is of the station that will be located on Wilmington Street.

What the BRT transit station will look like at Swain Street - This is the intermodal design

This is the intermodal station design on New Bern Avenue. This style station will be located at Swain Street.

Showing what the BRT station design that is located in an island will look like. This one is a rendering of the Raleigh Blvd intersection of New Bern Ave.

This rendering shows what the split island style BRT transit station will look like. The one in this rendering is at the intersection of New Bern Ave and Raleigh Blvd.

Rendering of the BRT station at Edenton Street and Swain Street

This rendering shows what the BRT Station at the intersection of Edenton and Swain will look like. 

a rendering of what the BRT station will look like at Corporation Pkwy

This rendering shows what the BRT station at Corporation Pkwy will look like.

Project Update Videos

This is a listing of project update videos. you can watch these videos to stay up to date on the project's progress. 

Wake BRT: New Bern Avenue Corridor Update

Wake Bus Rapid Transit: New Bern Avenue Corridor – Raleigh, North Carolina

Wake BRT: New Bern Avenue Corridor Update

Wake Bus Rapid Transit: New Bern Avenue Corridor – Raleigh, North Carolina

History

In early March 2020, 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 will allow the installation of enhanced pedestrian facilities and will eliminate back to back construction along the corridor.

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. 

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.

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

Schedule

Date Activity
2018 Wake Transit Plan Major Investment Study
Spring 2019 0 - 30% Design Begins
Summer 2019 New Bern Avenue Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) Selected
Winter 2019 Federal Small Starts Application
Spring 2020 30% Design Complete
Spring 2020 Final Design Begins
Winter 2022 Advanced Design Complete
Spring 2022 Right of Way & Easement Acquisition Complete
Summer 2022 Construction Starts
Summer 2024 Construction Complete

Resources

 

Main BRT Project Page

New Bern Avenue Corridor Study Final Report 2012

Wake Transit Plan Major Investment Study

Map of New Bern Avenue Project Area

New Bern Markers Tour

Related Projects

  All projects