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.

Walker and Walnut Signal Installation 

Investments in Cary’s transportation infrastructure are an important part of downtown revitalization efforts and include installation of a new traffic signal at the intersection of Walker Street and Walnut Street. Design and installation are being coordinated with The Walker project at the same intersection, and the signal will match the decorative aesthetics of the existing signal at the intersection of Kildaire Farm Road and Walnut Street. Installation is scheduled to be complete this summer and will result in benefits for both vehicular and pedestrian traffic. Cary staff have also worked in conjunction with the developers of The Walker to seamlessly install stormwater infrastructure on Walker Street that will help the future stormwater pond function appropriately at Downtown Cary Park. The pond will improve water quality and flood mitigation downstream while providing an aesthetic feature for citizens.

Rep. Deborah Ross secured $1 million in federal grant funding for Cary’s Bus Operations and Maintenance Facility. This award will help offset the cost of installing solar panels to assist with powering the building, future electric bus charging stations, and a green roof to reduce stormwater runoff, increase energy efficiency, and mitigate the urban heat island effect. The facility is in the initial design phase and is expected to be operational in 2025. 

In January, Council appropriated $20 million of American Rescue Plan Act funds and General Fund balance for housing, sidewalk, and nonprofit initiatives. Fourteen sidewalk projects estimated at $12 million will be designed and built using a portion of that funding. When recommending projects, staff looked for new sidewalks that would improve safety and mobility, fill critical sidewalk gaps, and connect neighborhoods to activity centers. Staff plans to hire two consultants to design these projects.