Selected RTA Accomplishments (last revised March 27, 2025)
Freeways, regional boulevards, and interchanges
• 540 Triangle Expressway turnpike built – led lobbying and campaign to build state’s first turnpike
• Southern Wake 540 open – spearheaded private sector advocacy to keep project moving
• Future I-885 opens – garnered and sustained regional support for Triangle Connector to I-85
• 540 express shoulder lane – conceived, highlighted, and advanced pilot concept for I-540
• I-40 widening in Cary/Raleigh completed – proposed means to relieve region’s top bottleneck
• I-40, US 70 interchange improvements – requested, secured funding for improved interchanges
• I-40 / Aviation Parkway – commissioned study, led to improved traffic signal, reduced delays
• I-87 designation from Raleigh to coastal Virginia – secured bi-state support and federal approval
• Speed limit increases approved – requested increases for I-40, I-540, US 1, 15-501, Wade, Aviation
• US 1 / Freeway – successfully lobbied for turnpike study to accelerate multimodal freeway
Metropolitan rapid transit and intercity rail
• Transit referenda passed in Orange, Durham, Wake – advocated for local option legislation
• Wake Transit Plan approved – pushed for approved new plan with bus rapid transit (BRT) basis
• High performance rail grant – supported funding effort led by NC Railroad Co. and partners
• Bus on Shoulder System launched – coordinated plan for North Carolina’s first BOSS operation
• I-40 transit priority shoulder – led multiple studies, informed advocacy for multimodal freeways
• Freeway, Arterial, Street, Tactical (FAST) transit – leading $900k study to accelerate regional plan
• Zero Fare transit policy – commissioned studies, advanced conversations for regional zero fare
RDU Airport
• New RDU – Paris nonstop flight launched – led “ASAP” private sector marketing campaign
• RDU “Carry on” campaign – supported post-pandemic air service recovery initiative
• RDU runway / infrastructure funding – funded study, led task forces, elevated regional campaign
Innovations and sustainability
• Dynamic Left Turn intersection (DLTi) – developed concept to reduce off-peak delay, first in U.S.
• New state funding for low-cost projects – successfully highlighted business case to secure fund
• Electrification of transportation – advocated for federal bus grants, elevating member initiatives
Additional information about selected projects:
- Complete 540 Phase 1 & 2
- Project start date 2018 project completed 2024
- New Bern Avenue BRT
- project start date 2022 project completed TBD
- I-40
- Project start date
- I-885 Connector
- Project start date 2015 project completed 2022
- RDU Airport
- 100+ Million in federal funding for RDU Airport
