Triangle Residents Have Opportunity To Speak Out About Planned Regional Rail Service

Triangle Transit Authority

will discuss its plans for a new regional rail system that links Cary, Durham, Raleigh and Research Triangle park in a series of public hearings.

The agency wants to start service between downtown Raleigh and downtown Durham by 2008. The service will later extend to north Raleigh and Duke Medical Center.

TTA officials will consider the public's opinion when board members select the final station locations. By 2003, the Federal Transit Administration is expected to decide whether to fund the project. The federal government is expected to pay half the cost, with the state and the TTA to pay the rest.

"People really need to know this is a crucial time, the next couple of weeks, for them to get their comments in," says TTA engineer Kim Crawford.

Open houses start at 5 p.m., followed by the public hearings at 7 p.m. at the following places and times:

Monday, June 25

Raleigh City Council Chambers Raleigh Municipal Building Room 201 222 W. Hargett Street

Wednesday, June 27

Cary Town Council Chambers Building A 316 N. Academy Street

Thursday, June 28

Durham City Council Chambers 1st Floor Council Chambers 101 City Hall Plaza

Wednesday, July 11

Morrisville Town Council Chambers 100 Town Hall Drive