The city is about to begin widening a key link in West Raleigh
After years of planning, the City of Raleigh is set to begin widening Blue Ridge Road between Rex Hospital and Crabtree Valley Mall.
The city plans to do the job in two phases. The first, starting next month, will cover Blue Ridge from Duraleigh Road north across Glen Eden Drive to near Homewood Banks Drive, just up the hill from the mall.
The city will hold a public meeting to let people know what to expect during construction from 6 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 24, at the Glen Eden Community Center, 1500 Glen Eden Drive.
The second phase of the project nearest the mall won’t begin until this fall. Both are expected to be completed in the fall of 2025.
Though it connects two large institutions, Blue Ridge Road is primarily a residential street, lined with single-family homes and apartment complexes. The speed limit is 35 mph, and in some sections there’s on-street parking.
Blue Ridge will remain a two-lane road between Duraleigh and Crabtree Valley Avenue, but with a center turn lane for most of its length. Where the road makes an S-curve near the crest of the hill, the city will build a raised median.
The city will also build a new sidewalk on one side of Blue Ridge and a multi-use path on the other. Where the House Creek Greenway Trail now crosses the road, the city will build a tunnel to carry it under. Bus stops along the road will also be upgraded.
The overhaul of Blue Ridge Road is expected to cost the city $26.6 million. For more information, including a link to maps showing the city’s plans, go to bit.ly/44a2HVk.
