News

Here is a brief weekly update from the RTA business coalition – the voice of the regional business community on transportation.

Raleigh Chamber online annual meeting – now free to RTA members
RTA is a regional program of the Raleigh Chamber, and this year our host chamber is providing free access for all RTA members to their annual meeting  this coming Tuesday, September 14. Headlined by keynote speaker Lynn Good, CEO of RTA Gold member Duke Energy, the online-only program will also feature a panel of business leaders including Tim Humphrey, RTP site executive with RTA Gold member IBM; Adrienne Cole, CEO of the Raleigh Chamber; Kenneth Blenberg with FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies; and O’Hara Macken with IHS Markit and the chair of the Raleigh Chamber.  The event will also welcome RTA rapid research chair Kevin Howell with NC State University as incoming Raleigh Chamber chair. Register  here by this Monday, Sep. 13. Select “Member Registration” on page 2; contact Iman Fullard with the Raleigh Chamber with any registration questions.

Successful, inspiring 540 field visit
Yesterday, RTA had a wet but successful “field day” with our visit to the easternmost construction site of the Southern Wake 540 corridor. Thanks to host WSP,  in concert with fellow RTA members Gannett Fleming, HDR, and Summit Design and Engineering, and the NC Turnpike Authority, around 25 RTA members received an opportunity to view the fruits of their labor via a field visit to the future “turbine” interchange of 540, I-40, and US 70 freeway (future I-42). This recent Thursday Thoughts at 3 blog (and also  this one) provides more information about the importance of Southern Wake 540 to our region. RTA lobbied for more than a decade to ensure that our beltway would not go the way of other proposed roadways in growing metro areas that never made it to reality. RTA members remain focused on supporting NCDOT and the NC Turnpike Authority’s efforts to accelerate the Eastern Wake 540 corridor to construction so that we can complete the 540 multimodal freeway beltway.

US 401 south study is advancing — and you can participate this week
As soon as it opens, 540 will be become the most important east-west connector for southern Wake County. However, US 401 is already the key north-south linkage between the US 1 and I-40 freeways, and an ongoing study by RTA Leadership Team member Capital Area MPO will ensure its continued effectiveness. You can participate in an online public meeting this coming Tuesday, September 14 at 6pm — more information via the project website

Let’s get moving,

Joe Milazzo II, PE
RTA Executive Director

Click here for prior RTA Member Briefings and RTA Blogs.