Project Updates

Fall 2024

Utility relocations continue throughout the project corridor in preparation for the road widening. 

 

  

- Duke Energy has relocated all overhead power lines on the project to the newly installed poles.  Underground work from Howard Road to NC HWY 55 is complete. 

- Dominion Energy has relocated all main lines.   

- AT&T has relocated equipment to the new site location on the north side of the project across from the Carpenter Fire Station Park.  They have also transferred all lines to the new poles and buried their facilities from Howard road to NC HWY 55. 

- Spectrum has relocated all fiber optic cables to the new pole locations and buried their facilities from Howard Road to NC HWY 55.

- MCI/Verizon began undergrounding their facilities from Howard Road to NC HWY 55.    

- Contractors will be mobilizing onsite to install Google Fiber and TOC Fiber conduits underground on the north side of Carpenter Fire Station Road through the entire corridor.  

 - All Crews will continue to work throughout the corridor with lane closures as needed.  

Project Background

Carpenter Fire Station Road currently carries about 13,000 vehicles per day, compared to 3,500 in 2003. Traffic, higher than average for a two-lane road, will continue to increase as northwest Cary continues to grow. Widening the road will reduce congestion and improve safety for drivers and pedestrians. The roadway currently has no pedestrian or bicycle accommodations. This enhanced pedestrian connectivity will help citizens in nearby neighborhoods access destinations such as the Northwest Cary YMCA, Crosspointe Church, and a Carpenter Fire Station Neighborhood Park being planned at the intersection of Carpenter Fire Station Road and Highcroft Drive. 

Project Overview

The project consists of widening Carpenter Fire Station Road from Cameron Pond Drive to NC 55, installing a 10-foot wide Street Side Trail (SST) on the south side of the road, a five-foot sidewalk on the north side of the road, and new traffic signals at Cameron Pond Drive, Highcroft Drive, and modifying the signal at NC-55. 

Additionally, while electric and telecommunication utilities are currently overhead through this segment, they will be placed underground from west of Howard Road to NC-55. All other utilities will remain overhead as a result of this project.  

The existing roadway is primarily two lanes wide. The project will widen the roadway to a four-lane, median-divided section with curb and gutter, aesthetically enhanced medians, street lighting, and pedestrian and bicycle facilities consistent with our Cary Community Plan.

This project is also being coordinated with the Carpenter Fire Station Road Bridge and Intersection Improvements Project. Together these projects will provide improvements to this important thoroughfare including increased mobility and reduced congestion between Yates Store Road and Good Hope Church Road in western Cary.

The Town selected RK&K to provide professional service, including planning, design, and preparation of construction documents. Cary staff will need to coordinate with NCDOT throughout the design process since Carpenter Fire Station Road is an NCDOT-maintained roadway.

Project Cost

A total of $23 million is included in the Capital Improvements Budget. $2 million is budgeted for design, $7 million for right of way and easement acquisition and utility relocation, and $14 million for construction.

Overall Project Schedule

The anticipated start and completion of this project will occur in 2020-2028. 

Spring 2021 to Fall 2023: Right of Way Acquisition

Fall 2023: Final Plans Complete

Winter 2024: Utility Relocation Began

Winter 2025: Construction Advertise

Winter 2025 through Winter 2028: Construction of new Roadway