Bridge Work Underway on Wade Avenue
If you have driven down Wade Avenue near the Blue Ridge Road exit you may have seen a large red object in the median. Some great news Raleigh! This is the first section of the new pedestrian bridge that is being built as part of the Blue Ridge Road Bike and Pedestrian Improvement Project.
After a pause in construction due to other projects and underground utility work in the area, the Blue Ridge Bike Pedestrian Improvement Project is moving forward. Crews are starting work on the new pedestrian bridge over Wade Avenue next week.
Crews are scheduled to lift the first of two steel bridge sections over eastbound Wade Avenue into place on Friday, Oct. 3, into early Saturday morning, Oct. 4. The second section, which will cross westbound Wade Avenue (outbound), is scheduled for the second week in October. The steel sections will be assembled in the median before being lifted by crane. The work is being completed during the overnight hours to keep traffic delays to a minimum.
Temporary Lane Closures
To safely set the bridge sections, lane closures are scheduled on Wade Avenue at Blue Ridge Road on Friday night, Oct. 3, through early Saturday morning, Oct. 4, and again on Friday night, Oct. 10, into Saturday morning Oct. 11.
Next Steps for the Project
Once both spans are in place, crews will:
- Install safety railings
- Place the remaining steel and pour the concrete deck
- Add fencing and lighting
- Complete multi-use path connections leading up to the bridge
The contractor has already completed underground work and is installing sidewalks, curbs, and gutters.
This project is on schedule for completion by Fall 2026. Once finished, the bridge will provide a safe, accessible route for pedestrians and cyclists, improving connections across the area and supporting Raleigh’s ongoing commitment to walkable and bike-friendly streets.
Learn more about the Blue Ridge Road Bike Ped Improvement Project!