ABC 11 by Michael Perchick 

Elected leaders, transit officials and business executives gathered Friday for the 22nd annual Regional Transportation Alliance meeting in Cary.

"The market is growing. We need to make sure we are focused and have that continued sense of urgency and success," said RTA Executive Director Joe Milazzo.

The U.S. Census Bureau noted North Carolina saw the third-largest population influx last year, with the Triangle feeling a significant portion of that impact.

"The celebration of I-540. Eighteen miles completed this summer, another 10 miles under construction in a few months. The launch of BRT, Bus Rapid Transit, or as we call it in the business community - buses resembling trains. We're really excited about that happening. But we've got some other things -- Can we accelerate Capital Boulevard (improvements)?" said Milazzo.

Raleigh broke ground on its new transportation system in November, the first bus rapid transit corridor in North Carolina. The route, which will connect downtown Raleigh to WakeMed and New Bern, will include high-capacity buses with dedicated lanes.

"Right now, the route 15 that serves New Bern Avenue serves about 2,500 passengers a day. In the future with bus rapid transit service that ridership is anticipated to grow close to 5,000 to 6,000 passengers a day," said Raleigh Transit Planning Supervisor Het Patel.

"People want to have buses that are reliable," said Congresswoman Deborah Ross, who represents the state's 2nd District.

Bus riders in downtown Raleigh backed the idea for expanded access.

"It means a whole lot to me. Because without that, (I) won't get around," said Daniel Brown, who rides a GoRaleigh bus several times daily.

"It's easier for me and whatnot. I don't have any problems with it," said Annice Williams, who uses the bus for work.

Patel believes the additional routes will benefit both businesses and residents.

"We're going to have a parking lot at the end of the line, that allows for more people to drive to that and take the bus service into downtown or into any of the other activity services it connects to. It really does expand your reach for a population and employment perspective for businesses to tie into people that want to come to that area or even for workers that need to to get to those local businesses," Patel explained.

Part of the push behind public transportation is aimed at reducing congestion.

"At least for the last 15 years, practically every day somebody talks about traffic and most of the time it's Capital Boulevard traffic," said Wake Forest Mayor Vivian Jones.

"Capitol Boulevard is a disaster for people. It takes too much stress in their lives," added Milazzo.

In June, NCDOT held an open forum in Wake Forest, discussing plans to address those concerns. The project would run about 10 miles from I-540 to Purnell Road in Wake Forest, though only the first phase - from I-540 to Durant Road - is currently funded.

"We know what to do with it because NCDOT is a great plan to build a multimodal freeway. No stoplights anywhere from 540 the whole way to the Franklin County line. You'd get through it in 10 minutes nonstop. That is fantastic," said Milazzo.

"We're very pleased with the idea of at least exploring the possibility of having a freeway with toll revenue," noted Jones.

NCDOT reports 32,000 to 65,000 vehicles travel along this stretch every day, a range they project will increase to 44,000 to 75,000 vehicles by 2040.

"I actually leave (work) later than normal. The earlier I leave, the more I get caught in traffic," said Akram Youssef, whose family owns Dr. Stylz along Capital Boulevard.