Raleigh Road Planners Hope DOT Gives Green Light to Beltline Projects

Planners say they have given a lot of attention to the road in recent years, and now is the time to work on the interchanges.

"We would like to see the same sort of attention given to the remainder of the beltline, just to try to make the interchanges and interfaces with the city road system work more safely and with, hopefully, less congestion," said Ed Johnson.

Planners want to upgrade four major beltline interchanges: Six Forks Road, Wake Forest Road, Capital Boulevard and the I-40 interchange in southeast Raleigh.

The most expensive request is a $71.5 million one to widen the beltline to six lanes from I-40 in Cary to Wade Avenue.

Other proposals include widening Jones Sausage Road from I-40 to Rock Quarry Road and pavement improvements along Capital Boulevard from the beltline to downtown.

Raleigh's transportation request package is not limited to roads. The city also wants $2.6 million to improve the downtownAmtrakstation. The goal is to get more cars off the roads and more people on the rails.

Planners have listened to citizens in the past and made projects a priority based on the feedback they have received.

"For example, the Duraleigh I-40 connector was a project that was moving forward but with substantial citizen outcry and opposition to it," Johnson said. "The project was eventually postponed, then abandoned altogether."

For additional information on the proposal, you can contact Eric Lamb or Ed Johnson with theRaleigh Transportation Departmentat (919) 890-3430.