This section offers Cary citizens an update on the projects funded by the Shaping Cary’s Tomorrow Parks and Transportation Bonds overwhelmingly approved in a 2019 referendum.

Street Improvements Program

Cary finished repaving streets within Weston Point, Wessex, Royal Oaks, Walnut Hills, and Trappers Run this quarter. This work included placing more than 28,000 tons of asphalt, upgrading 144 curb ramps, and replacing more than 1,000 feet of curb and gutter. Remaining neighborhoods to be completed by this winter include Upchurch Farms, Devereaux, and the Carolina Preserve at Amberly. 

Kildaire Farm Road Widening

This fall Cary will begin work to widen and straighten Kildaire Farm Road between Walnut Street and just south of Byrum Street. Work is anticipated to be finished by summer 2023. Other enhancements will include improving pedestrian accessibility, installing new water lines to support redevelopment, and burying overhead utilities. This work is being completed in coordination with ongoing construction for the new Lee & Associates headquarters. 

Walnut and Walker Street Signal Installation

Installation of a decorative traffic signal at the intersection of Walnut Street and Walker Street is under way and scheduled to be completed this fall. This traffic signal will improve pedestrian access while helping to support downtown development. 

Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization’s executive board selected Cary as its lead planning agency effective Jan. 1, 2023. The decision-making body of the MPO is made up of elected officials from more than 20 local jurisdictions as well as stakeholders from other transportation agencies. Mayor Harold Weinbrecht is Cary’s representative on the executive board. In addition, CAMPO will be relocating its offices to Cary and will soon call Fenton home. 

Cary and the N.C. Department of Transportation will install landscaping at the N.C. 540 and Morrisville Parkway interchange this fall. Landscaping, including installation of more than 450 trees, is planned for the roundabouts and medians on Morrisville Parkway as well as the loops and ramps leading from N.C. 540 to Morrisville Parkway. 

Cary received a federal grant for nearly $12 million to support construction of a new Bus Operations and Maintenance Facility. This facility will accommodate climate action and sustainability goals, including alternative fuel sources for the GoCary fleet and the incorporation of solar energy into building design. This quarter, bus stop improvements continued throughout the system with the installation of 50 solar light caps. These caps provide 5 minutes of focused light at the push of a button. Regional transit connections continued to expand with the launch of GoApex Route 1 in late July. This free service, operated by GoCary, is available 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Saturday.

Cary was featured in an article in ESRI’s “ArcUser“ magazine, which illustrates innovative ways to meet new challenges among GIS managers, developers, and users. It discussed how Cary uses GIS technology in analysis and decision-making for street improvements. The article can be accessed at bit.ly/carystreetdata.

This summer, Cary received authorization from the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration to use “green paint” to designate locations on streets where bicyclists are expected. The green-colored pavement within a bike lane increases visibility, identifies potential conflict areas, and indicates priority to bikes in these areas. The colored pavement can be used along an entire corridor or as a spot treatment, such as in a bike box or intersection crossing. Cary first used this treatment in protected bike lanes, intersections, and a bike box on Trinity Road in Fenton. Since then, Cary included it on a new separated bike lane on Norwell Boulevard. As Cary continues to grow and connect the bike network, staff will consider the use of this treatment as applicable with the goal of providing a safe and comfortable ride for all modes of transportation.