Well-planned communities with quality infrastructure and transportation are the most likely to realize a bright economic future. Wake County and its municipalities are fortunate to have the business community working alongside staff and elected officials to determine how to maintain and expand services and facilities required to accommodate the region's future growth.
Transportation
Raleigh-Durham International Airport
Raleigh-Durham International Airport has nearly 400 flights on seven major airlines to nearly 45 non-stop destinations each day. In the fall of 2015, Delta Air Lines announced it would begin daily, non-stop service between RDU and Paris' Charles-DeGaulle International Airport. The service began on May 12, 2016. Each year more than 1.5 million people travel between RDU and international destinations.
With the addition of non-stop service to Paris, RDU passengers will have daily access to two transatlantic flights. American Airlines has offered non-stop service to London for more than 20 years. In 2015, RDU also welcomed Alaska Airlines to the region. The airline offers daily, non-stop service to Seattle, a popular business and leisure destination.
Highways & Interstates
Wake County is well connected to the Research Triangle Region and beyond through a series of US Highways and Interstates, with I-40 being the primary connector. I-40 is currently undergoing construction as part of N.C. Department of Transportation’s Fortify Rebuild Project. In an effort to ease congestion and delays, the department has launched a new website to help drivers plan their commute. Visit Fortify40 to access real-time traffic maps, construction maps and smartphone apps offering information on road conditions.
In addition to I-40 there are two major highways, the Raleigh beltline (I-440) and a second outer loop (I-540) that helps alleviate congestion during high demand times. Recent projects under construction and consideration are the expansion of (I-40) from 3 lanes to four lanes and the completion of I-540 in the South and Eastern parts of the County. Longer term, public transportation including buses, transit and commuter rail, will play a significant role in our region's connectivity.
Public Transportation Systems
Rail Service
There are two different Amtrak stations located in Wake County (Raleigh, Cary) going to more than 10 different locations on the east coast including Baltimore, Miami, New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C. You can also visit www.ncbytrain.org.
Greenway and Bicycle
The BikeRaleigh Program encourages biking in Raleigh through on-road facility design, cycling safety and education promotion, and encouragement events. BikeRaleigh’s primary goal is to promote bicycle use as a viable, attractive, non-polluting form of transportation and assure safe and convenient access to all areas of the City.
The Capital Area Greenway System is a network of public open spaces and recreational trails which provides for activities such as walking, biking, jogging, hiking, bird watching, nature study, fishing, picnicking and outdoor fun. The Capital Area Greenway system has over 100 miles of trails you are invited to explore. There are 28 individual trails that make up the trail system, each with its own unique features, destinations, and character.
Utilities
Water and Wastewater
Cities and towns in Wake County are the primary providers of water and wastewater services, with Raleigh providing service for its citizens as well as several smaller municipalities including: Garner, Knightdale, Rolesville, Wake Forest, Wendells and Zebulon. In western Wake County, the Towns of Apex, Cary and Morrisville have formed the Western Wake Partners to manage their wastewater efforts at a regional level. Wake County's combined water treatment capacity is more than 225 million gallons per day (gpd). Utilization is approximately 117 million gpd, leaving excess capacity of more than 108 million gpd.
Electricity
Duke Energy is the primary provider of electricity to Wake County residents via the 900 megawatt Shearon Harris Nuclear Power Plant located in southwest Wake County. The Town of Wake Forest receives power from Wake Forest Power. The Town of Apex is part of the North Carolina Eastern Municipal Power Agency that owns interest in five generating units built by Duke Energy. And Wake Electric Membership Corporation provides power to certain areas of Wake and surrounding counties. Overall, electricity rates in Wake County are below national average.
Telecommunications
AT&T, CenturyLink, Spectrum, and Verizon are the primary providers of advanced telecommunications service to resident and businesses in Wake County. Mobile networks in Raleigh were among the first in the nation to offer 4G and 4G LTE service. In 2015, Google announced that it would be laying fiber throughout the Triangle.
Natural Gas
Natural Gas is provided by PSNC Energy.