Regional leaders discuss future of transportation as Triangle continues to grow

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- Business leaders and local officials gathered Friday to discuss the future of transportation in the Triangle, focusing on how transit investments can support the region's rapid growth.

The Regional Transportation Alliance's annual networking brunch brought together stakeholders at the Westin RDU to discuss topics including rail, improvements to Interstate 40 and bus rapid transit. RTA leadership said it was an opportunity to chart the region's future through better transportation and transportation infrastructure.

"The Triangle is named after a shape, right? I mean, it just by definition we've got to get from point A to point B, and so it's always top of mind for our elected partners, our partners at DOT, the transit agencies, the airport and so on. They're all focused on making sure this works," said Joe Milazzo, RTA's Executive Director.

Speakers emphasized the importance of building transportation infrastructure that connects the Triangle's major destinations, including Raleigh, Durham and Research Triangle Park, while supporting continued economic growth.

Adrienne Cole, president and CEO of the Raleigh Chamber, said transportation plays a key role in attracting and retaining businesses and workers.

"In this region, we're not only moving goods and services around, we're moving brains around. As one of the brightest, smartest, most educated regions in the country. And that's really important to business, that connectivity, that ability to move goods, services, people, recruit talent and have talent be able to move around the region is very important," Cole said.

ABC11 spoke with RDU leadership at the event about ongoing expansion projects at the airport.

Michael Landguth, President and CEO of RDU, said the airport is already looking toward future international destinations as construction continues on its multibillion-dollar expansion.

"I think you're going to see us continue to expand in Europe. I think you're going to see us expand in places like India and Africa. I think you're going to see us expand to Central America and South America and Mexico and of course, the Caribbean area. So I think it's pretty much untapped. We're really reflecting on what's going on in the community," Landguth said.

Landguth said the airport's new runway is expected to come online in 2029, followed by an expansion of Terminal 2 that will add more gates and accommodate higher passenger volume.

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