Raleigh, NC – Today, Congressman David Price (NC-04) and Congresswoman Deborah Ross (NC-02) announced the allocation of $5.4 million in American Rescue Plan funds for the Wake County Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project on New Bern Avenue. This funding will be distributed as part of the Federal Transit Administration’s Capital Investment Grants Program, which provides federal funding for major transit infrastructure capital investments across the nation.
“Our path to a greener and more efficient transportation future is through investments like the American Rescue Plan’s funding of Wake County’s Bus Rapid Transit initiative,” said Congressman David Price. “These funds will help Raleigh and Wake County become a more equitable city with 21st century transit options. As Chairman of the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee, I’m proud to have helped to secure this funding and to ensure our nationwide transportation networks remain viable as we recover from the pandemic and build back better than before.”
“I am thrilled Wake County’s Bus Rapid Transit project is getting funding through the President’s American Rescue Plan,” said Congresswoman Ross. “We need reliable public transportation to push our economy forward and continue the growth and development of Wake County. As I’ve said before, investment in North Carolina’s infrastructure is an investment in North Carolinians and in our shared future. Improvements to our public transportation will create important benefits for our workers, students, families, and communities for years to come.”
As part of the Wake County Transit Plan, 20 miles of dedicated bus lanes will be built on local roads in four corridors, allowing bus operators to bypass traffic and keep their routes on schedule. Along these corridors, buses will also have priority treatment at traffic signals. The $5.4 million Small Start Capital Investment Grant will be used towards the planning and development phase for BRT on New Bern Avenue. This project will ultimately connect people to jobs and educational resources, improve air quality, support walkable communities, and lower transportation costs for households. This partnership between GoTriangle and the City of Raleigh represents the kind of concerted, strategic effort needed to transform our current transportation infrastructure.
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