Bus Rapid Transit

Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) is rapidly moving forward toward the final design and construction phases. Here are the key accomplishments from 2025 that are building a better, more connected future for Chapel Hill.

Funding secured - Clearing the path to $150 Million

We're making great strides in securing the Federal funding needed for this major project.

• The project has secured a total of $32 million in federal funding toward the $150M goal. This includes $24 million in additional federal funds recently dedicated from previous years' allocations,

DownloadDesign work hits the 60% mark

Our design team hit a critical milestone, moving us closer to construction.

• 60% Design is Complete! After about 18 months of work, the 60% design plans for the entire transit corridor are finished.

• We've reviewed these plans with town departments and other agencies. Now, we'll use their feedback to create the 90% design plans, which are scheduled to be completed in 2026.

Saving time and money with partners

Working together with the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) is saving time and money.

• We signed agreements with NCDOT for work near the I-40/Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. intersection.

• NCDOT will now purchase land and build our future bus lanes as part of their larger road improvement project. This saves us significant money and avoids having to do the same construction work twice.

Ready for Federal investment

We had a successful review with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to confirm the project's readiness.

• In September, the project team completed a two-day workshop with the FTA. We reviewed our latest costs and budget plans, the construction schedule, and the team's ability to manage the project.

• The final report from the FTA will finalize the project’s budget and schedule, allowing us to formally submit the request for the main Federal grant later this year.

Looking ahead and staying connected

These 2025 accomplishments demonstrate solid progress in funding, design, and partnership, keeping the BRT project on track to deliver faster, more reliable transit to Chapel Hill.

Want to keep up with the latest BRT news and other important town updates?

➡️ Sign up for the Our Town Newsletter today.

Bus Rapid Transit is coming to Chapel Hill, bringing faster and more reliable bus service to Chapel Hill. The planned route will run from Eubanks Road to Southern Village, featuring a multi-use path for pedestrians and cyclists. If you own property along the planned route, this information is for you.

We will contact you

Our goal is to keep you informed. We’ll contact you directly as the project advances and we have specific information about your property.

Project Phases

This infographic is here to help you understand the big picture of the project. It shows where we are right now, and the important steps we need to take to get the service up and running. We will keep you informed every step of the way.

Download Project Phases -->

BRT Planned Route

The BRT route will use a mix of both new, dedicated bus lanes and existing mixed-traffic lanes.

The easiest way to see where those shifts happen is on the Route Map. We've updated the map to visually distinguish:

1. Dedicated Bus Lanes (where only buses travel).

2. Mixed-Traffic Lanes (where buses share the lane with cars).

3. Station Locations along the route.

Download Route Map -->

Up Next

We’re committed to transparency and will keep you informed every step of the way. Your feedback is important to us.

	You will be contacted by Chapel Hill Transit as the project advances and we have more specific information about your property.
	Sign up to receive regular updates from Our Town, including details about this project.

Bus Rapid Transit is underway in Chapel Hill. We've designed an infographic to help you understand the big picture of the project. It shows where we are right now, and the important steps we need to take to get the service up and running. We will keep you informed every step of the way.

[Download]Major Project Milestones

2025: Design and Planning

• Federal Readiness Reviews: We’re working closely with federal agencies to make sure Chapel Hill’s Bus Rapid Transit meets all necessary standards.

• Project Agreements & Permit Approvals: We’re finalizing agreements and obtaining the required permits.

• Final Design & Engineering: Our team is finalizing the detailed design and engineering plans. These plans will include specific details about the route, stations, and any potential impacts on your property.

• Federal Grant Agreements: We’re submitting the final request for federal funding. This funding is essential to support construction and implementation.

2026: Pre-Construction

• Right of Ways: We’ll begin securing the necessary land and rights. If your property is affected, we’ll reach out to discuss the process.

• Relocate Utilities: We'll move existing utilities, such as water, gas, and electricity lines, to prepare for construction.

• Federal Grant Agreements: Once the federal grant is approved, we’ll finalize the agreement to secure ‌funding, allowing us to continue with the next steps.

• Construction Bids & Contracts: We’ll issue bids and award contracts to construction companies.

2027: Construction

• Construction Begins: We’ll provide regular updates about the construction schedule, traffic changes, and any other relevant details to help you plan and minimize disruption.

2029: Launch Service

• Service Testing: We'll test traffic signal priority, bus-only lanes, 60’ articulated busses, and station platforms.
• Launch: Rapid Transit routes officially open.

We’re dedicated to being transparent and will keep you updated throughout the entire process. Your input is valuable to us.

Sign up for Our Town

Sign up for Our Town and receive weekly headlines including details about this project.

Starting this week in Chapel Hill, drivers and pedestrians should be aware of lane and sidewalk closures as part of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project. This may cause potential disruptions.

What to Expect

Terracon, an engineering firm, is gathering underground data. Also known as soil borings, this information is used for designing roadways, retaining walls, and bus stop platforms.

• When: The work is expected to take 2 to 3 weeks, depending on the weather, and will occur daily from 9:00am to 4:00pm.

• Where: Along both sides of the road, starting from the intersection of Market Street and S. Columbia Street (US 15-501) in Southern Village and extending north to Dixie Lane at Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

Closures and traffic impact

Lane and sidewalk closures will be in effect during work hours, causing potential disruptions. At any given time, the lane closure is expected to stretch about 400 to 500 feet.

• Work Direction: The schedule is flexible due to utility locating clearance. This week, the plan is to start near Highway 501 (Southern Village Club area) and move toward M.L.K. Jr. Blvd. (near Bolin Creek Trail).

Your patience and cooperation as we conduct this essential work is greatly appreciated. We're committed to making sure the project runs smoothly.

Sign up for Our Town

Sign up for Our Town and receive weekly headlines including details about this project.

Terracon needs an additional month to gather underground data. Expect temporary lane and sidewalk closures to continue during work hours (9:00am to 4:00pm).

Continue reading for full details > https://engage.chapelhillnc.gov/nsbrt/news_feed/traffic-alert-lane-and-sidewalk-closures-along-martin-luther-king-jr-blvd-and-s-columbia-st-2

On Wednesday, June 11, Chapel Hill Transit staff will update Town Council on a North-South Bus Rapid Transit (NSBRT) project milestone — the completion of 60% design. Staff will also discuss next steps in the project. You can learn more about the update in the Town Council meeting agenda here.