Faster buses, safer crosswalks: Raleigh prepares for first Bus Rapid Transit line
Preparations are underway for North Carolina's first Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line. The city of Raleigh is seeking public input on forthcoming changes, ranging from increased service frequency and quicker bus connections to improved sidewalks and pedestrian crossings.
The potential location for the new BRT station is along Western Boulevard, linking downtown Raleigh to downtown Cary.
The city's top priority is making it easier for residents and workers to get around.
Whether on foot or in a car, individuals who travel through Western Boulevard, including those in the Food Lion parking lot, have questions about the upcoming BRT line.
"We've even met people this morning so far that are not familiar with the bus rapid transit," Bronwyn Redus, Sr. planner comprehensive planning division, city of Raleigh, said.
Redus with the city's planning division says the BRT corridor is in the early design stages.
The overall project will have bus-only lanes and prioritize buses at traffic signals, cutting travel times in half.
It'll connect 20 miles of transit lanes along four corridors within Wake County.
"On Western Boulevard, it's a little bit of a different context just because a lot of Western Boulevard already has the transit overlay district zoning applied to it," Redus said.
This is different from the new Bern Avenue corridor, where residents have voiced concerns over the transit overlay development proposal.
Redus says the city plans to focus on anti-displacement policy, strategies, and existing affordability.
"That's something that we are concerned about as well. So we want to hear the feedback. Hear from specific neighborhoods and specific businesses. We want to hear what people want to remain in where we want to see change," Redus said.
Consultants are looking at recommendations while meeting with community members who'll be impacted the most.
"So sidewalk connections, bike connections, Greenway connections," Redus said. "Focuses a lot on getting residences near to the bus stations and then getting people from the bus to where they want to go. So, like the Food Lion would be one."
If you couldn't attend the pop-up event, an open house is scheduled for next Saturday at the Method Road Community Center.
