By 2020, Wake County is expected to be the population center of North Carolina. With that rapid growth, the region is busy dealing with current transportation woes and the potential for more.
Cary, N.C. -- By 2020, Wake County is expected to be the population center of North Carolina. With that rapid growth, the region is busy dealing with current transportation woes and the potential for more.
Rush hour travelers in the Triangle can expect to spend an hour or more stuck in traffic every day all year long.
"Congestion is a problem today, and it's going to be a bigger problem in the future if we don't do anything about it," said William Cavanaugh, co-chairman of the Special Transportation Advisory Commission.
In 1982, Triangle drivers spent about seven hours per year waiting. Now they spend at least 35 hours stuck in traffic.
"Where our traffic levels are for congestion today, Atlanta was less than 20 years ago and Dallas was less than 10 years ago," said Joe Milazzo, executive director of the Regional Transportation Alliance.
On Thursday, the Regional Transportation Alliance released its State of Mobility report for the Triangle. The good news is the formation of Interste 540 and the progress that's been made on a turnpike.
The bad news is, like always, delays.
The group said all options must be considered.
“You can’t just keep building roads. There's only so much concrete you can pour, and we have to find ways to move people around," said Cavanaugh.
Leaders said transit options are key. Cities should consider increasing bus routes and creating a system like Charlotte's new light rail. They also said keeping up with the competitive cities is a must.
"A year ago, Austin had no miles of toll road. Now, 70 miles of toll roads; in five years, over 100 miles of toll roads. We have to continue to make an investment in a variety of things if we're going to keep up with those markets," said Milazzo.
The group hopes toll roads will be a reality soon, but the challenges are many.
"We do plan to move forward with an expressway from Raleigh to Holly Springs," said Lyndo Tippett, N.C. secretary of Transportation.
Businesses like Puryear Tank Lines, Inc., which hauls gas and other products, say everyone will foot the bill in some way.
"If it takes us five additional hours to get around the Triangle, it ends up getting costs back into your pocket for your goods or your services, so we either pay now or we pay later," said Trey Thacker with Puryear Tank Lines, Inc.
The Regional Transportation Alliance said priorities for 2008 include securing funding for Interstate 540 and the Triangle Parkway turnpike and increasing the number of nonstop flights at RDU.