Cary Businesses Address $84M Railroad Project Concerns
Owners near the Maynard-Chatham intersection must prepare for property acquisition and potential construction disruption.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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A coalition of local businesses is set to address the Cary Town Council regarding a proposed $83.8 million NCDOT railroad project at Northeast Maynard Road and East Chatham Street. The initiative aims to eliminate the existing at-grade crossing by lowering the road under the tracks.
Why it matters
Operators in the area face significant operational uncertainty as the project prepares to move into property acquisition, potentially disrupting traffic flow and access to storefronts along a key corridor. The project follows a history of safety incidents at the crossing, most recently in May 2026.
The $83.8 million project includes $37.3 million for property acquisition and $46.5 million for construction costs. While the town evaluates the plan, business owners are preparing for impacts stemming from the proposed rerouting of Northeast Maynard Road under the railroad tracks.
The players
NCDOT
The North Carolina Department of Transportation is the state agency responsible for managing highway infrastructure, safety initiatives, and transit projects.
Cary Town Council
The municipal legislative body responsible for zoning, planning, and representing local interests regarding infrastructure developments within the city.
Amtrak
The national passenger railroad service that operates train routes passing through the Cary crossing.
The details
The NCDOT Sealed Corridor Program plan requires realigning East Chatham Street and excavating the intersection to take Northeast Maynard Road beneath the tracks. This infrastructure change is intended to end traffic congestion and safety risks that have previously led to emergency road closures, including a seven-hour shutdown following a May 2026 collision involving an Amtrak train. Businesses concerned about how these grade-separation mechanics affect site visibility and logistics are currently engaging local officials.
Timeline
2014: A train crash occurred at the intersection.
May 2026: An Amtrak train collided with a construction trailer at the crossing.
October 22, 2026: Local business coalition addresses the town council.
October 27, 2026: Final deadline for public comments to NCDOT.
Summer 2027: Property acquisition is scheduled to begin.
Market Landscape
The proposed infrastructure changes follow the design standards mandated by the NCDOT Sealed Corridor Program, which prioritizes the systematic elimination of at-grade railroad crossings. This development marks a significant move to standardize safety protocols for rail and road intersections across the region.
Business owners in the Northeast Maynard Road and East Chatham Street area should assess how property acquisition will impact their current land footprint and storefront accessibility. Engaging with the town council and submitting feedback before the October 27 deadline is the primary avenue for operators to influence the construction timeline and mitigation plans.
The takeaway
Operators must proactively monitor property acquisition timelines to understand if their business location falls within the path of upcoming construction. Track project updates under code 7714 to ensure your concerns are logged with state and local planners before the design phase finalizes.
What happens next
Public comments are being accepted by the NCDOT until October 27, 2026, using project code 7714. Property acquisition for the project is slated to commence in summer 2027, with construction following in summer 2030.
Further reading
For broader context on regional development and commercial shifts, visit Cary Openings & Closings.
More information
Review the full details of the initiative on the NCDOT project information page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WRAL.
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