Raleigh OKs spending for Capital Boulevard bridges

The city will pay less than expected for the state Department of Transportation to rebuild the Capital Boulevard bridges over Peace Street and under Wade Avenue.

The Raleigh City Council has approved spending $9.6 million for the project. Last fall, the city estimated its share of the project would be between $10 million and $13 million.

The Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization granted roughly $6.1 million in federal funds to the city to pay for right-of-way acquisitions and appearance upgrades, said Eric Lamb, Raleigh’s transportation planning manager.

The bridges will feature special railings, concrete oak leaf medallions and LED lights.

“At night, that will have a very dramatic effect,” Lamb said.

Raleigh wants to eventually build a park – called Devereaux Meadows Park – on city-owned property near the interchange of Capital Boulevard and Peace Street. The lot has been used for city buildings and vehicles since the 1970s.

Construction on the Wade Avenue bridge will begin in August, and construction on the bridge over Peace Street will begin in 2017. The project is expected to continue until the summer of 2019.

This story was originally published April 27, 2016 at 3:36 PM with the headline "Raleigh OKs spending for Capital Boulevard bridges."