RALEIGH, NC – STV today announced that construction is underway on its design for the Lake Wheeler Road Improvement Project. This milestone marks 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 operations in areas where a conventional circular roundabout cannot be accommodated. 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.
A vital component of Raleigh’s vision for safer and more connected streets, the project will transform a two-lane, undivided roadway into a Complete Street with a focus on multimodal accessibility. These improvements will expand travel options by enhancing access to major destinations, including Dorothea Dix Park, the Gipson Play Plaza and the North Carolina State Farmers Market.
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. The plan also improves existing bus stops with new shelter areas and safer crosswalk access, while three new bus stops will be added on the Dix Park side of the corridor to better serve riders. STV integrated a green stormwater system 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.”
Funded by the City’s 2022 Parks Bond and shaped through extensive community engagement, the Lake Wheeler Road Improvement Project aligns with Raleigh’s long-term goals for economic development, mobility equity and sustainable growth. Public feedback collected via surveys, open houses and in-person meetings directly influenced design choices such as the roundabouts, raised crosswalks and expanded pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure. Construction is being led by Rifenburg and is expected to take two years.
“Lake Wheeler Road is evolving into a safer, more connected corridor for all users, drivers, cyclists and pedestrians,” said Riska Dees, project manager at the City of Raleigh. “With the grand opening of Gipson Play Plaza, the installation of the Thomas Dambo Trolls and major events held throughout the year, Dorothea Dix Park continues to see a significant increase in visitors. As the area grows, improving safety and accessibility has never been more important. We’re excited to bring forward a project that puts people first in a community that’s rapidly growing and changing.”
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. Marquee projects include 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. With six offices across the Carolinas, STV recently reaffirmed its dedication to the region by opening a new office in the heart of downtown Raleigh.
