The NC Department of Transportation (NCDOT) intends to construct a new mobility hub (aka Amtrak station) at the site of the old freight rail depot in historic Downtown Wake Forest.
This mobility hub is part of the larger, federally supported S-line project, which seeks to refurbish an underutilized rail corridor to directly connect Raleigh, NC to Richmond, VA and beyond.
In addition, NCDOT intends to engineer this refurbished corridor to support future high-speed rail and regional commuter rail service. To learn more about mobility hubs, visit www.ncdot.gov/divisions/integrated-mobility/innovation/Pages/s-line-mobility-hubs.aspx.
As part of this effort, NCDOT will host several open house and design workshops from August 26-29 to solicit feedback from the public on how this new mobility hub should look and what amenities should be included.
Since this facility will be nestled into Wake Forest’s iconic historic downtown, project planners want to ensure any proposed design and programming fits well into the surrounding area. Parking and drop-off strategies are also being explored to maximize accessibility and convenience, while balancing considerations for the historic area’s integrity.
The multi-day event schedule is as follows (Please note that participants may drop in at any time within the listed times):
- Public Open House – Monday, Aug. 26 – 5-6:30 p.m. – Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, 405 S. Brooks St.
- Design Workshop – Tuesday, Aug. 27 – 9 a.m.-Noon & 1-5 p.m. – Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, 405 S. Brooks St.
- Public Open House – Tuesday, Aug. 27 – 5-6 p.m. – Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, 405 S. Brooks St.
- Design Workshop – Wednesday, Aug. 28 – 9 a.m.-Noon & 1-5 p.m. – Northern Wake Senior Center, 235 E. Holding Ave.
- Public Open House – Wednesday, Aug. 28 – 5-6 p.m. – Northern Wake Senior Center, 235 E. Holding Ave.
- Design Workshop – Thursday, Aug. 29 – 9 a.m.-Noon & 1-5 p.m. – Northern Wake Senior Center, 235 E. Holding Ave.
- Public Open House – Thursday, Aug. 29 – 5-6:30 p.m. – Northern Wake Senior Center, 235 E. Holding Ave.
In the meantime, you still have time to share your thoughts about the Wake Forest Mobility Hub by taking the survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/R5G6VVS. Your feedback will help the study team understand the Town’s desires and preferences for mobility hub facilities, amenities, technologies, and services.
For more information about the S-Line Project, visit https://bit.ly/WFS-LineProject.
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11 Responses
Do we really think people will forego their cars for this? And what about Superdeal and Wake Forest Florists, who might lose their businesses for the new rail?
How much money are we spending on this while Capital Boulevard remains a hot mess and not on NCDOT’s list whatsoever?!
No one has addressed the “car-centric” behavior of us suburbanites? WHY are we ok with funding here and not for Capital Boulevard widening?
In other words: do i want to wait for a train to take me where i need to go, or would I rather take my OWN car when I want to? This is a smoke show by the mayor, commissioners, and NCDOT to act like they are a solution. Insane.
Some people will prefer the train, and this will help take cars off the road and improve traffic for those who do wish to drive. If I can take a train and work during the commute instead of sitting in traffic, I would much prefer that!
I agree, Ryan – but i wonder about frequency and parking options on both ends. Where does it drop off in Raleigh and would you need an Uber after that? It’s close enough for that to be a blocker. Why get on a train to Raleigh and then have to take an Uber to work once there?
In general, this feels like a “look at me” political ploy to check a box so we all forget about DOT not addressing capital boulevard as they PROMISED they would years and years ago. When does this come to task to our WF leadership?!
NCDOT has been requesting their annual budget, and every year without fail, they are given a cut down budget from the NCGA. A republican controlled NC house AND NC senate leads to shortsighted band-aid solutions and slowed infrastructure projects. Especially with the fact that this recent year, there was a $1 Billion surplus. Thank the NCGA for taking our taxes and hoarding it because ‘conservative values.’
Begging for federal grants can only go so far. All the little towns and local governments can only do so much to try to alleviate their growing towns. Saving and cutting costs is good until people need things done. Everyone knows infrastructure spending and public services are better prioritized under fiscally liberal government. With our state growing faster than ever each year, we need to plan and invest in infrastructure NOW.
Unfortunately, I don’t see any change in this as long as our government stays the same. Cutting the budget of NCDOT while we need to fix and upgrade our infrastructure—and having a $1 Billion dollar surplus—should not be in the same sentence. But of course, hundreds of millions of our TAX dollars going to private schools is okay (while our state ranks 48th in public school funding). Make it make sense…
Hey kids! Where ya wanna go?
“Richmond!” said no child ever. Connect that stuff to DC…
The Raleigh to Richmond line will connect to DC. That’s the point.
I asked about that at the last public feedback session. There is already a Richmond to DC train. Unclear whether a transfer will be required or if there will be a direct link.
Where exactly is the “old freight rail depot”? Anyone know?
Basically, they’re talking about the parking lot next to N.C. General Stores. The old depot is on the other side of the tracks.
And think about how big of a parking lot is actually needed for people to park their cars to take the train? I don’t see that working at all. Also, that is one of the only parking lots downtown. What about the local businesses needing that for their customers? IMO, NCDOT really isn’t thinking on this one and just wanted the press with the governor in our town.