A $627 million plan to change Raleigh’s Capital Boulevard into a tolled road is being proposed by the Raleigh City Council in North Carolina. The 16km stretch of road would be tolled, featuring three traffic lanes in either direction.
The US-1 corridor project would run on Capital Boulevard to the north of I-540 and as far as NC-98 Business. Included in the project would be work to Capital Boulevard between I-540 and the Beltline. There would also be alternative routes available for drivers not wanting to pay the toll to use this direct route.
The corridor plan and the Comprehensive Plan amendment call for major investments on Capital Boulevard between I-440 and I-540. Work on upgrading the route for the project could commence in 2026. However, the Raleigh City Council has warned that if work is delayed to 2031, the cost of the work could climb to $1 billion.
Changing this busy route into a tolled highway is expected to help improve traffic flow and cut congestion at peak periods. North Carolina is experiencing population growth as major firms increase factory capacity in the state and vehicle numbers have increased, resulting in delays and traffic jams for drivers.
