Cary Rail Upgrade: $84M Plan Faces Local Pushback

Business owners in Cary are challenging a $84 million state transportation plan that could force them out of their locations near Maynard Road and Chatham Street. The N.C. Department of Transportation (NCDOT) proposes lowering Maynard Road and building a bridge to create a new intersection at a railroad crossing. This design change threatens to displace a cluster of established businesses, including furniture retailers, barbershops, and restaurants serving Mexican, Indian, and Nepali communities.

NCDOT selected the site for improvement after identifying safety risks, most notably a collision between a train and a construction trailer in May. The department indicates that construction could begin in 2030. In response to the proposal, local owners gathered at Toyo Sake to coordinate their opposition. They are formally submitting comments to NCDOT and have presented their case to the Cary Town Council to emphasize the potential for displacement.

Li-Chun Young, whose family has operated The Sea Depot seafood store for 20 years, cited the emotional impact of a potential move. She noted that her store has served three generations of customers and that both staff and patrons are distressed by the uncertainty. Young stated that the group is working to preserve the community's commercial core.

Esmeralda Angel of Esmeralda Grill described the restaurant as the fulfillment of a family dream. Her mother started with a food truck before establishing the brick-and-mortar location. Angel recalled that her parents and siblings spent significant time at the business during its early years, making it central to their family life. She called the prospect of displacement unfair, noting that her mother provides local jobs and community support. "That's my home, essentially," Angel said.

NCDOT stated that it is reviewing feedback from businesses and the wider community. The department said it is working with owners to explain the proposed improvements and outline potential effects. It also indicated that it will offer support throughout the development process.

Despite the state's assurances, uncertainty remains regarding relocation options for displaced businesses. With construction potentially starting in 2030, owners like Young face a tight timeline to determine their next steps. "We don't know where to go," Young said.