Project Overview

The N.C. Department of Transportation proposes to construct a grade separation of the North Carolina Railroad (NCRR)/ Norfolk Southern (NS) H-line and the CSX S-line to replace the N.E. Maynard Road at-grade crossing in Cary. The NCRR/NS H-line and CSX S-line provide both freight and passenger service to the east and west of Cary.

 

NCDOT studied two alternatives to replace the N.E. Maynard Road at-grade crossing:

  • Design Concept 1*: Grade separate N.E. Maynard Road under the NCRR/NS and CSX rail lines and realign the Chatham Street/N.E. Maynard Road intersection south of its existing alignment, outside of the railroad corridor.

  • Design Concept 2: Grade separate N.E. Maynard Road over Chatham Street and the NCRR/NC and CSX rail lines, on new alignment east of existing N.E. Maynard Road

* Concept 1 was chosen as the recommended alternative

Project Highlights

The purpose of this project is to eliminate rail-highway conflicts at the existing at-grade railroad crossing location on N.E. Maynard Road near its intersection with E. Chatham Street. The proposed project will improve vehicular mobility and safety at this location and the surrounding area.  

Project History

The proposed project is part of the NCDOT’s Sealed Corridor Program. This Program works to eliminate or improve rail and vehicular crossings in communities along the Raleigh-Charlotte Rail Corridor in North Carolina, including communities between Raleigh, Greensboro, and Charlotte.

 

The proposed project was put on hold due to funding constraints in May 2020 and restarted in June 2023. The project is currently funded for preliminary engineering studies only. The project is currently unfunded for Right of Way and Construction. 

 

The project will be placed on hold following the completion of the Environmental Document, pending additional funding for Right of Way Acquisition and Construction. If the project receives additional funding for Right of Way and Construction, the project will be advanced with immediate public involvement to update the public on a proposed project schedule and design. 

Public Involvement

October 2018

  • Public outreach was conducted at Mobile Estates and Chatham Estates. The outreach consisted of going door-to-door in both communities to invite residents to attend the public meeting, distributing handouts with relevant project information, and answering questions from residents.
  • A Local Business Owner Meeting was held to provide information about the proposed project to owners in the project area; thirteen business owners attended the meeting.
  • An in-person Public Meeting was held. Approximately 71 members of the public registered their attendance, and 101 comments were received at the meeting or during the comment period following the meeting. Concerns centered around right-of-way, purpose and need, public involvement, and environmental justice impacts.

 

January 2019 and June 2019

  • NCDOT presented the project at small group meetings held by the N.C. Latino Congress. Approximately 120 members of the community attended the June meeting, and 71 comments were received at that same meeting.

Project Map

 

 

Design Concept 1: RECOMMENDED ALTERNATIVE

 

 

 

Design Concept 2

 

 

 

Typical Sections

N.E. Maynard Road includes:

  • Two 12-foot travel lanes in each direction
  • A two-way center left-turn lane
  • Curb and gutter along outside travel lanes
  • Sidewalks and bike lanes on each side of the roadway

Typical Sections

E. Chatham Street includes:

  • One 11-foot travel lane in each direction
  • A two-way center left-turn lane
  • Curb and gutter along outside travel lanes
  • Sidewalks and bike lanes on each side of the roadway

NCDOT Recommended Alternative 

NCDOT has endorsed Design Concept 1 as the recommended alternative based upon the findings from the environmental analysis process.

Design Concept 1: 

Grade separate N.E. Maynard Road under the NCRR/NS and CSX rail lines and realign the Chatham Street/N.E. Maynard Road intersection south of its existing alignment, outside of the railroad corridor.

  • Minimizes impacts to the human, natural, and physical environment
  • Reduces right-of-way and utility costs
  • Results in fewer overall community impacts (relocations)
  • Received overwhelming community support compared to Design Concept 2 (based on public input, 63 noted support for Design Concept 1 and four noted support for Design Concept 2)
  • Results in fewer residential relocations than design concept 2. 

Summary of Environmental lmpacts

*Denotes the impacts were calculated using construction limits plus 25 feet

Project Funding:

 Activity

 Estimated Costs*

Property Acquisition

$ 37.3 Million

Construction and Utilities Costs

$ 34.4 Million

Total Cost

$ 71.7 Million

*Estimated costs are subject to change. Based on currently adopted NCDOT State Transportation Improvement Program.

Project Timeline:

 Milestones

 Date

Noise Analysis

    Fall 2023

Environmental Document

Winter 2023

*The project will be placed on hold following the completion of the Environmental Document, pending additional funding for Right of Way Acquisition and Construction. If the project receives additional funding for Right of Way and Construction, the project will be advanced with immediate public involvement outreach to update the public on a proposed project schedule and design. 

Project Comments

 

NCDOT accepts comments throughout all phases of project development.  

All comments will be taken into consideration, and carry equal weight, regardless of submittal method.

To submit comments for consideration during the current phase of project development,

please submit before December 3, 2023.


The public is encouraged to leave comments using this webpage, email, or phone number:

 

Email: MaynardRoad-GradeSeparation@publicinput.com

Phone Number:  984-205-6615    enter project code 7714

Question title

Would you like to be added to the project email list?

Question title

Do you have any comments or questions regarding the proposed project?

PROJECT CONTACT INFORMATION 

Matthew Potter, P.E.

Rail Project Development Engineer Consultant

Rail Division

1 South Wilmington Street

Raleigh, NC 27601

PROJECT CONTACT INFORMATION 

Paul Koch, P.E.

Consultant Project Manager

Mott MacDonald

1101 Haynes Street Suite 101

Raleigh, NC 27604

Title VI Feedback

To ensure we’re hearing from a broad set of voices, would you be willing to share (completely anonymously) some information about yourself?

If so, please click here https://publicinput.com/NCDOT-Title-VI

 

RESOURCES FOR PROPERTY OWNERS 


Although the N.C. Department of Transportation works to minimize the number of homes and businesses displaced by a road project, it is inevitable, in many cases, that a certain amount of private property is needed. The following information explains right of way acquisition and answers questions about the process.  

     
Right-of-Way Brochure Single Page Layout      Folleto del Proceso de Adquisición de Bienes Raíces
Right-of-Way Frequently Asked Questions

Right of way Acquisition Process Videos

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