What is it? 

The Town of Chapel Hill and Chapel Hill Transit are undertaking the most transformational infrastructure project in the Town’s modern history – from Eubanks Road to Southern Village. The project will bring dedicated bus lanes, new bus stations, more frequent bus stops, and longer operating hours, along with pedestrian and cycling improvements along the route. 

Features:                                                                                                  System Map:

• BRT-Only Lanes: Exclusive travel lanes make buses faster, more efficient, and more reliable.
• Traffic Signal Priority Systems: Signal priority systems keep buses on time, enhancing service reliability in all traffic conditions.
• High Capacity Specialized Vehicles: Vehicles feature WIFI access, mobile device charging, onboard bicycle storage, and digital information.
• Enhanced Transit Stations: Enhanced Transit Stations featuring covered seating, easy access, and upgraded amenities with real-time bus tracking make waiting on the bus more enjoyable.
• Everywhere to Everywhere Greenways: NSBRT’s off-road multi-use path, enhanced crossings, and improved sidewalk connections provide seamless connections to the Town’s growing greenway network.
• Complete Community: The NSBRT and transit-supportive development along the corridor promote denser, more sustainable land use patterns in locations most suitable for growth.

 Why BRT? 

Chapel Hill Transit has invested heavily in the North-South Corridor, providing 10-minute peak service along Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd from Eubanks Park and Ride lot to Southern Village. The North-South Bus Rapid Transit (NSBRT) project will upgrade the current transit infrastructure in the corridor to further meet community and customer needs by adding curb-running dedicated lanes, high-capacity buses, near-level boarding at stations, weekend service and bike/ pedestrian improvements. The project is critical to our partners’ sustainability goals and supports affordable housing and other future development within the corridor. NSBRT project will increase transit capacity in the corridor, connect with the regional transit network and provide the opportunity to expand BRT to other corridors.

Estimated Timeline:

• 2026: Design Complete
• 2027: Construction Begins
• 2029: Projected start date

How is it being paid for? 

• Estimated Cost to Build: $180M
  • Paid for with 80% federal funding
  • $29.1M provided by the Orange County Transit Plan
  • Local and state funding will cover the remaining cost

Contact Us 

• Project Manager: Katy Fontaine
• Email: nsbrtproject@townofchapelhill.org