Raleigh weighs multimodal fix for Six Forks congestion as area growth continues
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- Traffic backups along Six Forks Road, which are often a daily frustration for many drivers, are renewing calls for long-term solutions as Raleigh leaders advance a major redesign aimed at easing congestion in the growing North Hills area.
Drivers say the delays have become routine.
"There's one, two, or three, maybe four stoplights. It probably takes you 12 minutes to get through the four stoplights," said Raleigh resident Martha Heath. "It's annoying if you live around here."
City Councilman Mitchell Silver said the issue affects far more than the people who live or work in North Hills. He said the city is evaluating several changes, including adjustments at the Millbrook and Six Forks interchange, a potential new signal at North Glen and Six Forks, and an added pedestrian crossing between Northbrook and Northwood.
"We're looking at making changes to the Millbrook Six Forks interchange at a signalized intersection, or a new signal at North Glen in Six Forks, and then have another pedestrian crossing somewhere between Northbrook and Northwood," Silver said.
The centerpiece of the city's current plan is a multimodal bridge for cars, bikes and pedestrians that would cross I-440 and connect to Barrett Drive.
"We want to make sure that the Midtown multimodal bridge will really alleviate a lot of congestion," Silver said.
The project is estimated to cost between $50 million and $75 million and could take at least 10 years to complete. Silver said the city must finish the design, determine a final cost and weigh the project against other transportation needs before the council decides how to prioritize it.
Reactions from residents are mixed.
"There's not much to do that way. So I don't know why people would want to. It's just office buildings," said Raleigh resident Kendall Bailey, who also works in North Hills.
Others say the improvements could make everyday travel easier.
"If we could bike with my kids up here, it would be awesome for me not to have to drive the quarter of a mile that it takes to get up here and then wait in traffic for 10 minutes," Heath said.
A previous plan to widen Six Forks stalled after rising costs, pushing leaders toward the bridge alternative. Silver said the city must keep pace with growth.
"We're a city that's going to grow by close to 200,000 people by 2050. And so we have to stay on top of these infrastructure improvements," he said.
Traffic remains a persistent challenge along Six Forks Road, especially during peak hours. As North Hills continues to expand, city leaders say they are committed to finding solutions.
"We recognize that everyone's not just going to North Hills, but past North Hills," Silver said.
The multimodal bridge, now in the design phase, would span from the east side of the city over Interstate 440 to Barrett Drive.
"That multimodal bridge will have walking, biking, and driving. And we expect to see that design sometime this year," Silver said.
Some residents say the idea is long overdue. "Oh, I think that's a great idea," Heath said. "Especially for people that are around here in this neighborhood. If they could bike, walk easily to get to dinner or their destination or shopping, then I think that would be a wonderful idea."
