While many of its extensive components are currently invisible to the casual observer, multiple wheels of a monumental public transportation plan are in motion. Upon completion, the restoration of high-speed passenger rail service along the S-line from Raleigh to Richmond, along with three commuter rail stops in Wake Forest, will dramatically improve the local and regional landscape over the next 3 to 7 years.
In June 2022, Wake Forest welcomed state and federal leaders at its former Downtown Depot location. Gov. Roy Cooper and former Rep. David Price were joined by federal officials Amit Bose, head of the Federal Railroad Administration, and Mitch Landrieu, the former mayor of New Orleans appointed by President Joe Biden to implement the $1 trillion infrastructure package Congress passed in November 2021. All were in town to announce a $58 million investment in the Raleigh to Richmond corridor by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
This investment was among the first in a series of steps that will soon restore passenger rail service in Wake Forest for the first time in over 50 years and eventually aims to bring high-speed and commuter rail services as well. The $58 million awarded to the Tar Heel State is part of more than $360 million designated by the Biden-Harris administration to enhance rail infrastructure and supply chains, funding 46 projects in 32 states and the District of Columbia. North Carolina received the most funding.
Awarded through the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) grant program, local, state, and national leaders say the rail line and local commuter stops will lead to greater economic development, reduce traffic between Wake Forest and Raleigh and provide additional options to underserved communities along the R2R Corridor. In addition to Wake Forest, stops will be made in Youngsville, Franklinton, Henderson, and Norlina.
Currently, passenger trains run southeast from Raleigh to Selma before turning north through Rocky Mount and on to Petersburg and Richmond, Va. Reestablishing passenger rail service along the 162-mile rail line will create a more direct route from Raleigh to Richmond and reduce travel time by more than an hour between the two cities. This makes it comparable to drive time and offers a relaxing and environmentally friendly alternative to getting behind the wheel. By car, Raleigh to Richmond is 170 miles, approximately 2.5 hours.
Travel times are anticipated to decrease even further with the inevitable rollout of high-speed rail. The Raleigh News & Observer reported in June that in order to prepare for high-speed passenger trains, NCDOT is working to eliminate railroad crossings on the CSX S-line in Wake County by building bridges at Durant, East Millbrook, and New Hope Church roads in Raleigh and Rogers Road in Wake Forest. The N&O also reported that North Carolina and Virginia have been planning for high-speed passenger trains between their capital cities since 1992 and settled on the S-line as the best route years ago.
Transit-Oriented Development Districts
Up to three new stations could be built, and a variety of areas potentially developed within Wake Forest on land owned by the Town and a variety of private owners: Downtown at the old depot, Forestville at S. Main & Calvin Jones Highway/Bypass 98, and off Capital Boulevard by Burlington Mills.
Planning Director Courtney Tanner, along with Brad West, Long Range Planning Manager, the Town’s point of contact for all things S-Line related, collaborated with Kittleson & Associates to create renderings of their visions for the three transit-oriented development (TOD) districts. Purely conceptual at present, no formal development plans are underway. Instead, the renderings serve as a guide to enact certain land use regulations and achieve a similar development style across zones.
For example, the vision for the Forestville site is to develop a South Main Street TOD district that utilizes the current public works yard owned by the Town along with a park-and-ride with access to Bypass 98. In addition, the concept creates a new, central green space that connects a potential station platform with South Main Street. Another big idea for this area is to build a pedestrian overpass at Friendship Chapel Road that connects neighborhoods east of the railroad tracks, providing both station and mobility hub access.
At the Capital Boulevard site, the vision is to develop a mixed-use employment hub centered around the reuse of the historic Burlington Mill and a large riverfront park. The proposed concept would serve as an anchor for new development, offering opportunities for walkable retail and providing a prominent gateway into Wake Forest.
Downtown, planners want to support the growth and success of Wake Forest’s historic core with regional transit connections and targeted TOD investment that preserves the community’s historic small-town character. Big ideas for this area include reimagining Roosevelt and Wait Avenues by converting the intersections at White and Front Streets into mini-roundabouts to process vehicular traffic better. The vision includes adding bicycle lanes along Roosevelt Avenue from Franklin Avenue to White Street and converting Wait Avenue from Brooks Street to Roosevelt Avenue into a shared festival street.
Grants Going Forward
Following the $58 million grant, the U.S. DOT announced in August that it will provide $3.4 million to fund the planning of mobility hubs in Wake Forest and six other communities along the S-Line. The funding is part of an award to six North Carolina projects, totaling $60.2 million from the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity program.
NCDOT is applying for two additional grants, combined, totaling well over a billion dollars. If awarded, planners say it would be a "game-changer," enough to fully design and fund numerous over and underpasses, rights of way, and closings.
While planners understand that plans can change, this one appears to have substantial traction.
"It's happening now, and we're going through a multi-year process," Tanner said. "Money is being invested, and corridors are being secured. The credit really goes to the NCDOT Rail Division. The next big stage is to acquire certain areas and straighten out some curves."
Downtown and Beyond
While it's a giant project, Tanner said her focus is on planning for the best way for good development to occur in these areas.
As for potential development Downtown, Tanner said it's going to be an economic opportunity that didn't exist before, with the chance to rehab vacant buildings along White Street and more.
"The new station will help anchor the Downtown community," said Tanner, who has served as Planning Director for the past three years.
Since then, she said a ton of planning has been done. From the Community and Housing Affordability Plans to the Historic Preservation, Northeast Community, and Transit Plans, Tanner said she went out to affected stakeholders and asked them what they wanted over the next 20 years.
"This is where we've wanted to go, and now we're going," she said. "Lots of different actions are taking place to improve Wake Forest overall. I think it will be quite amazing when it's all finished."
See the PDF renderings for more detailed plans and excellent ideas:
