North Carolina Construction News staff writer
Construction is underway on the STV-designed Lake Wheeler Road improvement project, a significant step forward as the project transitions from design to active construction, beginning the transformation of a key Raleigh corridor into a safer, more accessible and multimodal route for all travelers.
A signature element of STV’s design is Raleigh’s first peanut-shaped roundabout, a rare, elongated design that supports more efficient traffic flow in areas where a conventional circular roundabout cannot be built. In addition to leading the final design, STV provided early-phase planning services for the project, including traffic analysis, environmental surveys, feasibility-level alternatives and cost estimates to help guide the City’s decision-making.
Construction will transform a two-lane, undivided roadway into a Complete Street with a focus on multimodal accessibility.
STV’s design introduces four roundabouts to smooth traffic flow along the corridor, including the newly designed peanut-shaped configuration. Additional features include raised crosswalks, protected bike and pedestrian paths, as well as upgraded transit access.
Three new bus stops will be added on the Dix Park side of the corridor and a green stormwater system will be tailored to the surrounding environment and coordinated utility relocations to support the corridor’s long-term resilience and usability.
“Lake Wheeler is a model for how Raleigh can grow with intention, and this corridor will reshape how residents and visitors experience Dix Park,” said Patrick Livingston, PE, vice president and Raleigh area manager at STV. “This project shows what happens when a city invests in safer streets, smarter design and places people want to move through.”
STV has a long-standing track record providing a wide range of engineering design, program management and project management services on transformative transportation infrastructure programs in North and South Carolina including the CATS Blue Line Light Rail Extension in Charlotte, North Carolina; the award-winning I-485/I-85 Turbine Interchange in Charlotte, North Carolina; and the Town of Huntersville Main Street Improvements in Huntersville, North Carolina.