The City of Raleigh’s Passenger Rail Task Force has presented the City Council with a recommended Downtown route for Triangle Transit’s proposed light rail system.
Members of the Passenger Rail Task Force said the D6a route would better serve Downtown workers, especially state government employees. The task force also recommended that the light rail system use light rail transit railcars electrically powered by overhead wires.
A union station would serve as a hub for the planned light rail system as well as for commuter trains and Downtown bus service, coordinating both local and regional transit service providers in a single multi-modal transit facility.
City staff is currently working with the North Carolina Department of Transportation on evaluating the suitability of a building at 510 W. Martin St. as a site for the Union Station.
This could be an interesting addition to the R-Line system.
The City’s $40 million transportation bond issue that will be on the Oct. 11 ballot for voter approval includes $3 million for the Union Station proposal.