Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization Seeks Community Input on U.S. 1 / Capital Boulevard Tolling Options
The following is a news release from the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) concerning the U.S. 1 / Capital Boulevard Tolling Study:
The Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) has pursued upgrading the U.S. 1 (Capital Blvd.) North Corridor to a freeway for several decades. During that time, the project has been repeatedly delayed, and costs have escalated exponentially. To try to stabilize both the timeline and costs, CAMPO partnered with the N.C. Turnpike Authority to investigate alternative and innovative methods to fund this project.
Tolling Options Explored
The study conducted by the N.C. Turnpike Authority developed four different scenarios for tolling that could be used to preserve the project’s schedule and feasibility. All four scenarios envision the upgrades as previously planned (NCDOT’s U-5307), but two options explored converting the corridor to an expressway (similar to N.C. 540 in Wake County) and the other two options present tolling as an express lane/s project (similar to I-77 in Mecklenburg County). Another variation among the scenarios is with the financial analysis which explores tolling along the U.S. 1 Corridor North as either a standalone project or incorporates it into the Triangle Expressway System as a single network. The combination of those lead to different overall project costs, delivery dates, and legislative needs.
Community feedback needed
"We've been waiting on the U.S. 1 Corridor Upgrades for years as the area's growth has exceeded the road's capacity to provide acceptable commuter standards between Raleigh, Wake Forest, Youngsville and Franklinton,” Vivian Jones, Mayor of the Town of Wake Forest. “This project has faced repeated delays which has led to frustration to our residents and businesses. Aiming for a more viable timeline and to keep costs from continued escalation, we are obliged to explore innovative ways to advance this project, such as tolling."
CAMPO has launched a website (https://publicinput.com/us_1_tollingoptions) and online survey (https://publicinput.com/q13712#tab-62798) and will hold public information sessions in north Raleigh and Wake Forest where community members can learn more, ask questions and provide feedback. Community input will be used by the CAMPO Executive Board, comprised of local elected officials, to determine the path forward for U.S. 1 / Capital Boulevard in North Wake County.
The deadline to take the survey or send comments is Wednesday, May 14, 2025. For comments, please use the survey or email: US_1_TollingOptions@publicinput.com.