Interactive Study Area Map  

Project Overview

The N.C. Department of Transportation proposes to replace the bridges on U.S. 401 over Norfolk Southern Railroad, Garner, Wake County. ​​​The project proposes to replace the bridges with new structures on a partial realignment and to extend the Reduced Conflict Intersection (RCI) corridor along U.S. 401 south to Simpkins Road. Improvements proposed include sidewalks to the outside of both bridges and U-turn bulbs.

The existing northbound bridge is 255-foot in length and will be replaced with a 280-foot long bridge that will be 36-foot in width and include three 12-foot lanes. The existing southbound bridge is 247-foot in length and will be replaced in-place with a 266-foot-long bridge that will be 36-foot in width and include three 12-foot lanes. 

Traffic will be maintained using a temporary on-site detour during construction using staged constructed with one through lane in each direction and center turn lane maintained throughout construction phase.

The proposed bridges will contain 5 1/2-foot sidewalks on the outside of each bridge, but no multi-use path lanes (MUPs) are proposed. 

The northbound bridge was built in 1965 and the southbound bridge was built in 1953. The existing bridges are aging and due for replacement. This does not imply that the bridges are unsafe. It means the bridges are reaching the end of their lifecycle and must be monitored, inspected and maintained on a more frequent basis.

The construction phase is expected to last up to 36 months.

What Is a Reduced Conflict Intersections (RCI)? 

A reduced conflict intersection ​is a general term used to describe several types of designs that can be used to improve safety and traffic flow on a highway.  There are variations to the designs, but they all function the same by reducing by almost half the number of potential locations, o​​r conflict points, where drivers can collide. Raised medians direct traffic from the side road into turning right. When there is a safe opening in traffic, drivers enter the flow of traffic on the main route. To go the other direction, or cross the highway, they pull into a dedicated lane – typically les​s than 1,000 feet away – ​and make a U-turn.

 

 

Watch a video about how Reduced Conflict Intersections (RCI's) work

Project Map and Typical Section

To view or download project map click here or on the map below

 

Typical Section of U.S. 401 

Project Funding:

 Activity

 Estimated Costs*

Right of Way Acquisition 

$  1.28 Million

Construction

$  24.5 Million

Total Cost

$ 25.78 Million

*Estimated costs are subject to change. 

Project Timeline:

 Activity

 Date*

Environmental document

Spring 2026   

Right of Way Acquisition Begins

    Spring 2027   

Construction Begins

Summer 2030   

*Future dates subject to change

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 Feb. 20, 2026


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

Email: us401-norfolksouthernrailroad@publicinput.com

Phone Number: 984-205-6615  enter project code 8654

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Please provide any comments or questions regarding the proposed project.
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PROJECT CONTACT INFORMATION 

Joel Perlin

NCDOT Project Management Unit

NCDOT Project Manager

1000 Birch Ridge Drive

Raleigh, NC 27610

PROJECT CONTACT INFORMATION 

Tommy Dudeck, PE

Consultant Project Manager

Stantec

801 Jones Franklin Road, Suite 300

Raleigh, NC 27606-3394

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-Form

 

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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