State presents expansion plan for Poole Road amid growth and community questions
State transportation officials presented detailed plans Monday for a major widening of Poole Road in southeast Raleigh, saying the project aims to respond to rapidly rising development and mounting traffic congestion along the corridor.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation laid out a proposal to expand Poole Road from two lanes to four lanes between Barwell Road and Hodge Road. The plan also calls for two new bridges over the Neuse River, including one designed to accommodate pedestrians and to connect with the Poole Road Park trail network.
What officials say and why they propose the work
Project Manager Reid Davidson told attendees the expansion is intended to address development-driven travel demand in the area. He said several residential and commercial projects are planned both north and south of Poole Road, and that ongoing growth — including anticipated changes associated with the regional turnpike system — is increasing the need to prevent future congestion.
"This is needed to help address the growth that is coming to the area," Davidson said.
Officials described the widening as a forward-looking effort to accommodate expected traffic volumes and new access needs while adding multi-modal connectivity across the river.
Local residents acknowledge need but raise concerns
Residents who attended the public meeting said they understand the necessity of infrastructure upgrades but expressed concern grounded in past experiences with road projects along Poole Road. Dr. Ulysses Lane, a neighborhood leader who has lived near Poole Road for more than two decades, said development has often outpaced infrastructure improvements.
"Our problem is that the infrastructure changes don't keep up with all this development that we have," Lane said, adding that unanswered questions remain about the project's community impact.
Those concerns included potential effects on neighborhood character, construction impacts, and how the expanded roadway would interface with pedestrian and bicycle routes. Some residents raised questions about timelines, property impacts and whether traffic relief would materialize once construction is complete.
Project elements and community considerations
Key elements presented by NCDOT include:
- Roadway expansion: widen Poole Road from two lanes to four lanes between Barwell and Hodge roads.
- River crossings: construct two additional bridges over the Neuse River.
- Pedestrian access: one bridge designed for pedestrian use and to connect with existing park trails.
Officials said the pedestrian bridge is intended to increase nonmotorized access to Poole Road Park and improve connections for walkers, cyclists and park users.
| Segment | Current | Planned |
|---|---|---|
| Poole Road (Barwell to Hodge) | 2 lanes | 4 lanes |
| Neuse River crossings | Existing bridges | 2 additional bridges (one pedestrian) |
Next steps and what residents can expect
NCDOT officials indicated the presentation was an early step in the project process. Details such as exact right-of-way impacts, construction staging and final schedules were not finalized at the meeting. Residents will have additional opportunities to review design documents and provide feedback as plans are refined and environmental and permitting work proceeds.
Community members said they support efforts to reduce congestion but want clearer information on property impacts, the project's timeline and how local traffic patterns will change during and after construction. The agency reiterated its intent to plan for anticipated growth and to mitigate future congestion, but acknowledged the need to address resident questions about neighborhood effects.
The proposed improvements to Poole Road reflect a broader pattern of infrastructure planning in Raleigh's fast-growing corridors, where balancing mobility, safety and community character remains a persistent challenge for planners and residents alike.
