Leaders from local universities, health care institutions, government and the private sector are working with GoTriangle to meet the community goal of improving public transit in Durham and Orange counties including implementation of the Durham-Orange Light Rail Transit Project.
“The light rail project remains a priority in our rapidly growing communities, because it will better connect our neighborhoods to jobs, education, healthcare and other destinations,” said Durham Mayor and GoTriangle Chair William V. “Bill” Bell. “We’ve seen successful coalitions in other regions help complete similar projects, and many community leaders here understand the importance of light rail and want this to happen.”
In response to feedback received from public comment on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement, GoTriangle is currently evaluating a number of refinements to the project, including the possibility of connecting the light rail line to North Carolina Central University, which serves eight thousand students. The line would connect three of the major universities in the Triangle. Preliminary studies suggest an NCCU station could be the most used stop in Durham.
“North Carolina Central University is an enthusiastic partner of GoTriangle. The possibility of connecting the light rail line to NCCU is an exciting and viable refinement to the Durham-Orange Light Rail Transit Project. It is vital for the Triangle region of our state,” said Acting Chancellor Johnson O. Akinleye at North Carolina Central University. “We are eager to strengthen the already close partnership with GoTriangle, and having a stop directly on campus will bridge our programs and students with the vibrant city of Durham and our region, while enabling additional constituencies to access our campus and experience our top-ranked academic programs and other cultural offerings.”
The D‐O LRT project is critical transportation infrastructure that will support approximately 23,000 passenger trips per day by 2040 along the 17-mile alignment; connect to local and regional bus service enhancing mobility for more people, including those without access to a car; complement local land use plans to focus compact development; manage and channel future growth at light rail station areas, and support and promote economic development.
GoTriangle improves our region’s quality of life by connecting people and places with safe, reliable, and easy to use travel choices.
For more information, contact Brad Schulz at 919-485-7434 or Mike Charbonneau at 919-485-7413.