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Cary

Cary Businesses to Address Rail Project Plans

A group of local businesses will meet with the town council to discuss a major railroad crossing safety initiative.

Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Openings & Closings

Isometric editorial illustration of a concrete railroad bridge passing over a vacant road, representing a local infrastructure safety project.
Local business leaders in Cary are meeting with town officials to discuss a $83.8 million NCDOT plan to grade-separate Northeast Maynard Road. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should the town prioritize protecting local businesses during major infrastructure projects?

A coalition of local businesses is scheduled to address the Cary town council regarding an $83.8 million NCDOT project to grade-separate the intersection of Northeast Maynard Road and East Chatham Street. The project aims to eliminate the at-grade crossing by moving the road underneath the railroad tracks.

Why it matters

The proposal follows safety concerns at the crossing, which saw a train collision in 2014 and another incident in May 2026 involving an Amtrak train and a construction trailer. Supporters believe the infrastructure change will improve traffic flow and reduce accident risks for the local community.

The NCDOT project carries an estimated total cost of $83.8 million, with $46.5 million allocated for construction and utilities and $37.3 million earmarked for property acquisition. The public can submit comments on the plan using project code 7714.

The players

NCDOT

The North Carolina Department of Transportation is the state agency responsible for managing the planning, construction, and safety of the state's transportation infrastructure.

Amtrak

This is the national passenger railroad service that operates intercity rail travel across the United States.

The details

NCDOT plans involve taking Northeast Maynard Road underneath the train tracks and realigning East Chatham Street to remove the existing intersection hazards. Following an Amtrak collision in May 2026 that resulted in a 7-hour road closure, the urgency for a permanent engineering solution has intensified.

Timeline

  1. A train crash occurred at the crossing in 2014.

  2. An Amtrak train hit a construction trailer in May 2026.

  3. The business coalition will address the town council on October 22, 2026.

  4. The deadline for public comments to the NCDOT is October 27, 2026.

  5. Property acquisition is anticipated to begin in summer 2027.

Market Landscape

This project is a critical component of the NCDOT Sealed Corridor Program, which focuses on enhancing rail safety by eliminating at-grade crossings. By aligning with this statewide initiative, the town is positioning itself to address long-standing safety concerns while managing regional traffic infrastructure.

Residents and business owners near the Northeast Maynard Road and East Chatham Street intersection should prepare for potential traffic disruptions during the lengthy construction phase. Those affected by property acquisition may be contacted starting in the summer of 2027.

The takeaway

Large-scale infrastructure projects require significant community engagement, especially when property acquisition and construction could impact local business access. Residents and business owners are encouraged to submit official feedback by the October 27, 2026, deadline.

Further reading

For additional updates on town development, visit the Cary Openings & Closings section.

More information

View the full project scope and current status on the NCDOT project information page.

Source note: This article includes information reported by WRAL.

Live Poll

Should the town prioritize protecting local businesses during major infrastructure projects?