Project Overview

The N.C. Department of Transportation proposes to construct a grade separation of the North Carolina Railroad (NCRR), Norfolk Southern (NS) H-line, and the CSX S-line to replace the N.E. Maynard Road at-grade crossing in Cary. This rail line provides both freight and passenger service to the east and west of Cary.

The purpose of this project is to eliminate rail-highway conflicts at the existing at-grade railroad crossing location on N.E. Maynard Road near its intersection with E. Chatham Street. The proposed project will improve vehicular mobility and safety at this location and the surrounding area.

Project Highlights

The Build Alternative will grade separate N.E. Maynard Road under the NCRR, NS and CSX rail lines and realign the Chatham Street and N.E. Maynard Road intersection south of its existing alignment, outside of the railroad corridor. This alternative was selected because it:

• Minimizes impacts to the human, natural, and physical environment;
• Reduces right-of-way and utility costs;
• Results in fewer overall community impacts (relocations);
• Received overwhelming community support compared to Design Concept 2 (based on public input, 63 noted support for Design Concept 1 and four noted support for Design Concept 2); and
• Results in fewer residential relocations than design concept 2. 

Typical Roadway Sections of the Build Alternative

N.E. Maynard Road includes:

• Two 12-foot travel lanes in each direction
• A two-way center left-turn lane
• Curb and gutter along outside travel lanes
• Sidewalks and bike lanes on each side of the roadway

E. Chatham Street includes:

• One 11-foot travel lane in each direction
• A two-way center left-turn lane
• Curb and gutter along outside travel lanes
• Sidewalks and bike lanes on each side of the roadway

Project History

Public Involvement

October 2018

• Public outreach was conducted at Mobile Estates and Chatham Estates. The outreach consisted of going door-to-door in both communities to invite residents to attend the public meeting, distributing handouts with relevant project information, and answering questions from residents.
• A Local Business Owner Meeting was held to provide information about the proposed project to owners in the project area; thirteen business owners attended the meeting.
• An in-person Public Meeting was held. Approximately 71 members of the public registered their attendance, and 101 comments were received at the meeting or during the comment period following the meeting. Concerns centered around right-of-way, purpose and need, public involvement, and environmental justice impacts.

January 2019 and June 2019

• NCDOT presented the project at small group meetings held by the N.C. Latino Congress. Approximately 120 members of the community attended the June meeting, and 71 comments were received at that same meeting.

October 2026

A Public Meeting will be held on October 6 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the First United Methodist Church on 117 S. Academy Street in downtown Cary.  The meeting will present the latest information on the project.

NCDOT Recommended Alternative 

NCDOT has endorsed Design Concept 1 as the recommended alternative based upon the findings from the environmental analysis process.

Design Concept 1: 

Grade separate N.E. Maynard Road under the NCRR/NS and CSX rail lines and realign the Chatham Street/N.E. Maynard Road intersection south of its existing alignment, outside of the railroad corridor.

• Minimizes impacts to the human, natural, and physical environment
• Reduces right-of-way and utility costs
• Results in fewer overall community impacts (relocations)
• Received overwhelming community support compared to Design Concept 2 (based on public input, 63 noted support for Design Concept 1 and four noted support for Design Concept 2)

• Results in fewer residential relocations than design concept 2. 

Project Map Recommended Alternative Design Concept 1

Grade separate N.E. Maynard Road under the NCRR, NS and CSX rail lines and realign the Chatham Street and N.E. Maynard Road intersection south of its existing alignment, outside of the railroad corridor.Grade separate N.E. Maynard Road under the NCRR, NS and CSX rail lines and realign the Chatham Street and N.E. Maynard Road intersection south of its existing alignment, outside of the railroad corridor.

(click below to enlarge)

The project will utilize a two-phase construction approach to minimize disturbance in the project area.  Phase 1 will construct the alignments shown in green below, because these areas can largely be constructed outside of the existing roadways. Phase 2 will construct the alignments shown in yellow below, and will complete the project.

Design Concept 2

Grade separate N.E. Maynard Road over Chatham Street and the NCRR, NS and CSX rail lines, on new alignment east of existing N.E. Maynard Road.

Typical Sections

N.E. Maynard Road includes:

• Two 12-foot travel lanes in each direction
• A two-way center left-turn lane
• Curb and gutter along outside travel lanes
• Sidewalks and bike lanes on each side of the roadway

Typical Sections

E. Chatham Street includes:

• One 11-foot travel lane in each direction
• A two-way center left-turn lane
• Curb and gutter along outside travel lanes
• Sidewalks and bike lanes on each side of the roadway

Comparison of Environmental lmpacts between Design Concepts 1 and 2

*Denotes the impacts were calculated using construction limits plus 25 feet

Renderings

Project Funding:

*Estimated costs are subject to change. Based on currently adopted NCDOT State Transportation Improvement Program.

Project Timeline:

*The project will be placed on hold following the completion of the Environmental Document, pending additional funding for Right of Way Acquisition and Construction. If the project receives additional funding for Right of Way and Construction, the project will be advanced with immediate public involvement outreach to update the public on a proposed project schedule and design. 

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 October 27, 2026.

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

Email: MaynardRoad-GradeSeparation@publicinput.com

Phone Number:  984-205-6615    enter project code 7714

PROJECT CONTACT INFORMATION 

Matthew Potter, P.E.

Rail Project Development Engineer Consultant

Rail Division

1 South Wilmington Street

Raleigh, NC 27601

PROJECT CONTACT INFORMATION 

Paul Koch, P.E.

Consultant Project Manager

Mott MacDonald

1101 Haynes Street Suite 101

Raleigh, NC 27604

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

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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Page last updated: May 29, 2026

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