HL-0133L and HL-0133A - Poole Rd - Barwell to Hodge
HL-0133L and HL-0133A - Poole Rd - Barwell to Hodge
The N.C. Department of Transportation is proposing to widen Poole Road between Barwell Road and Hodge Road in Wake County.
Project Interactive Study Area Map
Open House Public Meeting
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September 28, 2026
Barwell Road Community Center, XL Multipurpose Room
5857 Barwell Park Drive, Raleigh
5:00 pm to 7:00 pm
No formal presentation will be made
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Project Overview
The N.C. Department of Transportation is proposing to widen Poole Road (S.R. 1007) between Barwell Road (S.R. 2551) and Hodge Road (S.R. 2516) in Wake County. The project would expand Poole Road from two lanes to four lanes and include a center median to separate traffic traveling in opposite directions.
The widening to Poole Road is intended to address ongoing growth and increasing travel demand throughout the corridor. The project would help to reduce future traffic congestion, improve roadway operations, and support anticipated development. In addition, the project would enhance connectivity by providing new and improved accommodations for people who walk, ride bikes, and use other non-motorized means of travel.
Project Highlights
Today, Poole Road has two travel lanes with no center median. The proposed project would widen the road to four lanes and add a center median to separate traffic traveling in opposite directions. The extra lanes would help traffic move more smoothly and the additional lanes would allow for the growing number of vehicles using Poole Road.
Barwell Road to the Neuse River Bridge
The widening would begin just west of the Barwell Road intersection. When traveling east toward the Neuse River Bridge, dedicated left turn lanes will be added at Riverview Road and the entrance to Poole Road Park.
To accommodate the additional lanes
The existing two-lane Neuse River bridge (Bridge No. 28) would remain in place
A new two-lane bridge is proposed immediately south of the existing bridge
A 12-foot multi-use path (MUP) bridge is proposed north of the existing bridge
The existing bridge was built in 1959, is approximately 352 feet long and 33.5 feet wide. Minor improvements would be made to the existing bridge, which would carry the two westbound lanes of traffic, after construction is complete. The new two-lane bridge would be approximately 350 feet long and 36.9 feet wide, with two 11-foot lanes carrying eastbound traffic and a 5-foot sidewalk along the south side of the bridge for future pedestrian connectivity.
The new 12-foot multi-use path (MUP) bridge north of the existing bridge would provide a separate Neuse River crossing for people who walk, ride bikes, and use other non-motorized transportation. The MUP bridge would improve connections along the Poole Road corridor, including access to Poole Road Park, the Canoe Launch, and other nearby destinations.
The existing vertical clearance beneath the western side of the existing and proposed bridges will be maintained to accommodate the Neuse River Greenway, which currently passes beneath the bridge. The project team is also evaluating design options to support a potential future greenway connection on the eastern side of the bridges.
Neuse River Bridge to Misty River Drive
After crossing the Neuse River, the proposed widening would continue to Misty River Drive. Eastbound drivers would have a dedicated left-turn lane onto Misty River Drive, and westbound drivers would have a dedicated left-turn lane onto Serenity Creek Drive.
Misty River Drive to River Dreams Drive
A new traffic signal will be installed at River Dreams Drive as part of a separate project. This signal is expected to be completed before the Poole Road Widening Project begins. The separate project will also add a dedicated right-turn lane for eastbound drivers turning onto a future roadway.
As part of the proposed Poole Road Widening Project, eastbound drivers would have a dedicated left-turn lane onto River Dreams Drive. Westbound drivers would share a through/right turn lane onto River Dreams Drive.
Hodge Road Intersection
Drivers traveling eastbound on Poole Road approaching the Hodge Road intersection will have two dedicated left-turn lanes onto northbound Hodge Road. Drivers traveling southbound on Hodge Road will have a dedicated right-turn lane onto westbound Poole Road and two dedicated left-turn lanes onto eastbound Poole Road.
An additional through lane will be added to Hodge Road north of the Poole Road intersection. South of the intersection, a dedicated right-turn lane will allow northbound drivers on Hodge Road to turn right onto eastbound Poole Road.
The Poole Road Widening Project Team (for projects HL-0133L and HL-0133A*) has been working with the Complete 540 Project Team (R-2829B) to coordinate improvements near the Hodge Road intersection. As part of the Complete 540 Project, Poole Road will be shifted to a new alignment beginning at the Hodge Road intersection and connecting to a new interchange less than half a mile east of the intersection. For more information about the Complete 540 project, visit the project website by clicking on this link. The project teams will continue working together to make sure the transportation needs of the area are addressed now and in the future.
Pedestrian, Bicycle and Other Non-Motorized Travel
The proposed Poole Road Widening Project would also improve connections for non-motorized travel including pedestrians and bicyclists along the Poole Road corridor. A combination of sidewalks and multi-use paths (MUP) are proposed along the south side of Poole Road. A new MUP is proposed along the north side of Poole Road, extending from the Hodge Road intersection to the new MUP bridge over the Neuse River.
*Project HL-0133A is an intersection improvement project on Poole Road at Hodge Road in Wake County, featuring a second eastbound left turn lane and a second southbound right turn lane
Project Map
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Project Typical Sections
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Poole Road
Poole Road Bridges over the Neuse River
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Hodge Road - North of Poole Road
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Hodge Road - South of Poole Road
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Environmental Overview
Project Impacts
The project team anticipates minor permanent and temporary impacts to recreational resources in the project area. These areas are protected under a federal law known as Section 4(f), which applies to public parks, recreational facilities, wildlife and waterfowl refuges, and historic sites.
Because the project involves improvements to the existing bridge crossing over the Neuse River, completely avoiding these resources is not practical. However, the project team is working closely with local agencies and stakeholders to avoid, minimize, and/or mitigate impacts wherever possible. As the project design continues to advance, the team will further refine the design and continue looking for opportunities to reduce effects on recreational resources.
To support potential future federal funding, a Categorical Exclusion (CE) is being prepared for this project. A CE is an environmental review process required under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) that helps identify and evaluate potential environmental impacts associated with a transportation project. As part of the CE process, impacts to Section 4(f) resources must be evaluated in accordance with federal requirements. Section 4(f) is a federal law that helps protect parks, recreational areas, wildlife refuges, and historic sites when transportation projects are being developed.
The graphic below identifies the Section 4(f) resources located within the project area. Potential impacts to these resources are being evaluated to ensure the project complies with federal requirements.
At this time, NCDOT anticipates seeking a de minimis impact determination for the project. A de minimis impact is an impact that would not adversely affect the features, attributes, or activities that qualify the resource for protection under Section 4(f). Before the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) can make a final de minimis determination, the public must be provided an opportunity to review the information and submit comments.
In addition to the 4 (f) resources, the project team is aware of the quality habitat of the Neuse River and surrounding project area and is working with the appropriate environmental agencies to ensure the project respects and follows the guidance provided by agencies. Traffic noise studies are also underway as part of the proposed project. Traffic noise studies are currently underway as part of this proposed widening project.
Please provide any questions or comments about NCDOT's intent to seek a de minimis impact determination, based on the expectation that the project will not substantially affect protected resources in the area.
Construction
Traffic is expected to be maintained throughout most of the construction period. However, short-term nighttime closures of the Neuse River bridge are needed to allow for new bridge girder installation and other construction activities. During the closures, traffic will be detoured via New Hope Road, I-87, and Hodge Road. The detour route is approximately four miles in length.
NCDOT has coordinated with local emergency service providers and the Wake County Public School System regarding the proposed construction activities. Coordination will continue throughout the project to minimize potential impacts to emergency response, school transportation, and the traveling public.
Funding
| Activity | Anticipated Cost * |
| Right of Way Acquisition | $ 4.1 Million |
| Utility Relocation | $ 3.0 Million |
| Utilities | $ 2.5 Million |
| Construction | $ 33.7 Million |
| Total | $ 43.0 Million |
* Costs are estimates and subject to change
Schedule
| Activity | Date ** |
| Right of Way Acquisition Begins | Summer 2027 |
| Construction Begins | Late Spring 2029 |
** Future dates subject to change
Project Comments:
NCDOT accepts comments throughout all phases of project development.
All comments will be taken into consideration, and carry equal weight, regardless of submission method.
All comments for consideration are to be submitted by October 12, 2026.
The public is encouraged to leave comments using this webpage, email, or phone number:
Email: poole-barwell-hodge@publicinput.com
Phone Number: 984-205-6615 and enter project code 11037 to leave a message.
Project Contacts
S. Reid Davidson, P.E.
NCDOT Highway Division 5
Project Delivery Staff Engineer
2612 N. Duke Street
Durham, NC 27704
Jason Talley, P.E.
Consultant Project Manager
EGIS
2840 Plaza Place, Suite 202
Raleigh, NC 27612
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RESOURCES FOR PROPERTY OWNERS
Although the N.C. Department of Transportation works to minimize the number of homes and businesses displaced by a road project, it is inevitable, in many cases, that a certain amount of private property is needed. The following information explains right of way acquisition and answers questions about the process.
Right-of-Way Brochure Single Page Layout Folleto del Proceso de Adquisición de Bienes Raíces
Right-of-Way Frequently Asked Questions
Right of way Acquisition Process Videos