City plans Pullen Road extension to help ease traffic in west Raleigh

The city plans to extend Pullen Road from Western Boulevard to Centennial Parkway to accommodate traffic from the State Farmers Market, North Carolina State University's Centennial Campus and, beginning in 2017, the Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral.

According to the city’s map, Pullen Road will meet Bilyeu Street, then connect to Centennial Parkway.

"I think it would help the traffic, especially around 4 to 5 in the evening," said Vanessa Alston, who frequents the area. "You have to learn to be patient with it. You don't want to have an accident. It can be pretty bad."

Project engineer Sylvester Percival said now is a good time for the project.

"We are able to start much sooner (on the project) because of the redevelopment of the Catholic Diocese's property," he said.

The city will spend $3 million to cover half of the construction costs, and N.C. State and the Catholic Diocese of Raleigh will evenly split the other half.

"The extension will include two lanes with a center median," Percival said. "You'll also see bike accommodations and pedestrian accommodations on both sides and a roundabout."

Percival said he hopes the extension will improve safety and congestion and provide connectivity.

"This is expected to be a major improvement to the N.C. State transit line. Currently, they are having great challenges trying to get through congestion," he said.

Construction is expected to begin in spring 2017.