The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) recently awarded the City of Raleigh, N.C., a $35 million Capital Investment Grants program grant for the 5.4-mile Wake BRT New Bern Avenue project.
Funding will be for the city’s new bus rapid transit (BRT) line along the New Bern Avenue corridor. The line will connect downtown Raleigh to its eastern neighborhoods and is expected to be 10 minutes shorter than current options.
Electric battery-powered or compressed natural-gas buses will travel for 3.3 miles in exclusive lanes and receive traffic signal priority.
“We are pleased to support the Wake Bus Rapid Transit New Bern Avenue project, which will improve transit connections in the downtown Raleigh Central Business District, including to some of the major healthcare centers in the region, and beyond,” FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez said. “Residents will have an affordable, climate-friendly travel alternative to avoid traffic and reach destinations all over the region.”
The entire project is expected to cost $96.7 million. It will improve access to major employers and medical facilities for low-income residents, older adults, and underserved populations.
The Capital Investment Grants program helps communities complete transit projects. The program will receive $23 billion in funding over the next five years.