RALEIGH -- Triangle Transit Authority presented a draft plan to the Raleigh City Council today recommending new commuter and light-rail services among other major transportation improvements.
Wake County expects to finalize plans late this spring; the City Council accepted the information – which is also being presented to other governing bodies and transit agencies – but did not take further action.
The plan proposes a two-pronged rail vision, with a commuter train running from Garner through Raleigh up to Durham as well as a light-rail system in Raleigh.
The commuter train would run 37 miles, with four of its 12 stations in Raleigh along current railroad tracks: north of Hillsborough Street near Corporate Center Drive, North Carolina State University, downtown near West and Davie Streets, and the Hammond Road and Rush Street area in South Raleigh.
The $650 million project – $330 million from Wake County, $320 from Durham – would also include park-and-ride lots, sidewalks, signage and bus shelters.
The $1.1 billion light rail system proposed would have 16 stations, 14 in Raleigh. The path would stretch from downtown Cary through downtown Raleigh, then up to Millbrook Road in north Raleigh, a path of 13.9 miles.
The proposal also included a five-year bus service improvement plan, for which Wake County would foot $138.3 million of the $344 million cost.
The commuter system is projected to begin operations in 2019 or 2020.
Funding would include a half-cent sales tax increase – pending approval in a Wake County voter referendum – and a $10 increase in annual vehicle registration fees to $45.
