North Carolina Construction News staff writer
A North Carolina state audit has identified railroad access issues and poor soil conditions among the factors behind years of delays on the Blue Ridge Road Underpass Project in Raleigh, with estimated costs rising 41% since 2018.
The North Carolina Office of the State Auditor released a special report examining the project, which is intended to improve traffic near the North Carolina State Fairgrounds by lowering Blue Ridge Road beneath Hillsborough Street, Beryl Road and an adjacent railroad corridor.
The project was originally scheduled for completion in July 2023. Its estimated completion date has since been pushed back to spring 2027.
According to the report, issues securing railroad right-of-entry delayed the project from the outset. Construction on railroad property could not begin until the required access agreement was fully executed. Poor soil conditions discovered after construction began added further delays.
Project funding increased from $50.7 million in 2018 to $71.6 million in 2025, a 41% increase.
“This is a complex project and railroad issues have delayed it from the start, but the need for this underpass hasn’t gone away,” said State Auditor Dave Boliek. “As this report shows, delays cost taxpayers additional dollars. Enhanced transparency and public reporting will help manage expectations and hopefully drive an additional sense of urgency.”
The report includes recommendations for the North Carolina Department of Transportation to address the issues identified in the audit. NCDOT’s response is included in the report.
The underpass is intended to improve traffic flow and provide a route for vehicles and pedestrians beneath the roadways and railroad corridor. The revised spring 2027 completion target is nearly four years later than the original schedule.