The Wake Weekly By Reggie Ponder and Justin Thompson

Leaders from Zebulon, Wendell, and the GoTriangle regional transit service were joined by U.S. Rep. Deborah Ross Oct. 18 to announce that the transit service will be the recipient of a substantial federal grant.

The grant money will be used to install and upgrade bus stops, sidewalk connections, curb ramps, crosswalks, and pedestrian signals.

In addition, the grant will help expand service to connect the towns of Wendell and Zebulon to Raleigh.

Mayors Glenn York and Virginia Gray, of Zebulon and Wendell respectively, were on hand to celebrate the occasion, which culminated in the handing over of a ceremonial check by U.S. Rep. Deborah Ross in front of Zebulon Town Hall on Arendell Avenue.

Eastern Wake has garnered $800,000 in federal funding for 10 new bus stops in Zebulon and Wendell to support extended transit service.

The grant will be used to improve access to regional transit service in Eastern Wake County in the Towns of Wendell and Zebulon. These towns are some of the fastest-growing municipalities in the entire state and require federal support to match this continuous growth.

In the Fiscal Year 2024 government funding package, Ross secured $800,000 for GoTriangle to construct 10 new bus stops to support expanded transit service connecting Eastern Wake County residents with Raleigh as well as community destinations within Wendell and Zebulon. These improvements include bus stops, sidewalk connections, ADA curb ramps, crosswalks, and pedestrian signals.

GoTriangle applied for the grant and conducted the research study that supported the improvements.

Ross said the transit improvements in Zebulon and Wendell will allow eastern Wake County to benefit from the proceeds of a sales tax the county adopted in 2016.

“My experience is that smaller municipalities don’t have, in general, their own bus service,” Ross said.

Ross said some in eastern Wake had doubts about the benefits of that sales tax — suspecting the proceeds would never make their way into the eastern part of the county.

“But it’s clear that they’re getting the service,” Ross said.

And that’s appropriate, Ross said, because if you’re paying the tax you should be getting something for your money.

Zebulon Mayor Glenn York said that as a lifelong resident of Zebulon he never expected to see i  his lifetime this much growth in this short a period of time.

“We are experiencing tremendous growth,” York said.

In the midst of this growth, residents need to be able to get around within the community — and that’s where public transit plays an important role, he said.

“We have heard you, and help is on the way,” York said.

Expanding the number of bus stops in Wendell and Zebulon, and making them more accessible, will provide an opportunity for everyone to visit and experience the economic boom in eastern Wake County, York said.

“We would like to see you all in Zebulon again,” York said. “The next time, however, I would suggest you take the bus. Get out of those cars.”

Wendell Mayor Virginia Gray thanked Ross for her efforts on behalf of Wendell and eastern Wake County.

Gray said that with growth has come challenges.

“And one of them is mobility,” Gray said, adding “mobility is a high priority of our board.”

Gray said Wendell is eager to welcome residents from the rest of Wake County.

“They can make their way into eastern Wake County and see what we have to offer,” Gray said.

Ross said she was excited to celebrate this investment in eastern Wake County.

Transit improvements will help residents access health care, employment, and educational opportunities such as the new Wake Tech East Campus, Ross said.

It’s essential that residents have access to all of those opportunities, Ross said.

Byron Smith, acting chief executive officer of GoTriangle, said he appreciates the work Wendell and Zebulon officials have done on this project in collaboration with the GoTriangle staff.

“Transit is vital for a thriving community,” Smith said.

Smith said he is glad this project includes accessibility improvements.

Link to full article: https://restorationnewsmedia.com/articles/wakeweekly/local-leaders-announce-800000-public-transit-grant/