Raleigh Secures Contractors, Construction to Begin on New Bern Avenue Bus Rapid Transit Line
The City Council yesterday approved key contracts, paving the way for construction to begin on Raleigh’s first bus rapid transit (BRT) line along New Bern Avenue.
The council authorized a $64.7 million contract with The Fred Smith Co. of Raleigh to build the central 3.3-mile section of the 5.4-mile BRT route, including dedicated bus-only lanes down the median of New Bern Avenue between Poole Road and Interstate 440. This follows a $28.7 million contract awarded in July to Rifenburg North Carolina for initial paving, sidewalk, and utility work between downtown and Poole Road. The city will solicit bids by the end of the year for the final phase, completing roadwork east of I-440 and constructing stations along the entire route.
The New Bern Avenue BRT line aims to improve public transportation by offering bus service with features similar to light rail, such as advance ticket purchasing, covered elevated platforms, real-time arrival displays, and signal priority at intersections. The planned route will connect downtown Raleigh with WakeMed’s main campus and a new park-and-ride lot off New Hope Road. This project is a key component of the larger Wake Transit Plan, approved by voters in 2016 to expand public transportation options throughout the county.
The city faced challenges securing contractors for the project, with initial bidding attempts last year failing to attract sufficient interest. Changes to bid specifications, including extended timelines, ultimately led to successful bids. City officials anticipate the BRT line will cost $108 million, funded through $46 million in federal grants, city funds, and Wake County’s half-cent sales tax for transit. GoRaleigh expects to launch service on the line by summer 2030.
City leaders stated they will continue to seek bids for the final contract phase and move forward with design work on additional BRT lines planned for Garner and Cary.
