Editorial: Skunked again!

Let’s count the ways.
First it was the NC DOT project to transform Wake Forest’s traffic signals to “smart” signals that came to a screeching halt because DOT had “messed up” the paperwork and had to begin again. That dropped ball delayed the project by several months and has not gotten underway as of now.
Second it was a another delay in the much-needed vehicle traffic bridge over the CSX rail lines on Rogers Road because some change required paperwork from Raleigh’s water and sewer department. Who had been looking at the plans and OKed them without this tiny piece?
And now we learn we can see (maybe) real construction on the very first part of making Capital Boulevard into a freeway. There is no money for parts two, three or four. And without the whole set, what do we have but a traffic mess just north of the Durant Road/Perry Creek Road intersection, or future interchange.
Is it ineptitude? Is it lack of proper staffing? Is NCDOT biased against projects in Wake Forest? Whatever it is, it is time for DOT to demonstrate it can carry out a plan and complete it on time and without endless delays. And do it in a way that makes traffic flow, rather than something like the traffic signals on South Main Street-NC 98 Bypass. Claiming lack of funding, DOT did not extend the bridge over the CSX tracks that would have allowed traffic to flow unimpeded on both roads. Instead we have traffic accidents and long waits.
US 1 – the other name for Capital Boulevard – is an essential link in the nation’s highway system. It was built from the Canadian border in Maine to the southernmost pier in Key West, and it came through Wake Forest in 1923. After the feds understood they could not go straight through the Wake Forest College campus, all went smoothly. Today in North Carolina US 1 has been shifted to bypasses – ours was built in 1951 – leaving North and South Main streets to be designated US 1-A.
The Gazette understands there is a well-backed move in town to use all the levers at their disposal to find means to procure federal and/or state funds for all four sections so they can be built as quickly as possible.
But this situation calls for citizen input. First of all, we can go to the DOT information open house and public hearing on June 21, 2023, a Wednesday, and tell DOT officials how we want action on all these projects without further delays or screw-ups.
Second we can call our state representatives and federal representatives to urge them to provide the funding DOT needs to complete the freeway.
We all use Capital Boulevard. We want it to be as safe and hold-up free as possible AND WE WANT IT WITHIN THE NEXT 10 YEARS OR SOONER!
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