Big Changes Are Coming to Rogers Road
in Wake Forest:
What Residents Need to Know

If Rogers Road is part of your daily routine, there’s a major transportation project on the horizon that you’ll want to know about.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation is preparing to replace the existing railroad crossing on Rogers Road with a bridge that will carry traffic over the CSX S-Line railroad tracks.

It’s a major project that will eventually change the way we travel through this busy part of Wake Forest, and it’s also connected to something much bigger: the development of the S-Line passenger rail corridor between Raleigh and Richmond.

So, what’s changing, why is it happening, and what could it mean for those of us who live, work, shop, and drive through this area regularly?

Here’s what we know.

What’s Happening at Rogers Road?

Currently, drivers traveling Rogers Road cross the railroad tracks at street level.

NCDOT’s Rogers Road Grade Separation Project, officially known as STIP Project P-5707, will eliminate that at-grade crossing and construct a bridge carrying Rogers Road over the railroad.

The proposed bridge is designed to include two travel lanes in each direction, a dedicated left-turn lane, and sidewalks on both sides.

There’s another notable change planned nearby: Heritage Branch Road will be rerouted from its current intersection with Rogers Road and connected to Capital Creek Drive approximately a quarter-mile east of the existing intersection.

The project is much more than simply adding a bridge. It will significantly reconfigure how vehicles, pedestrians, and trains move through this portion of Wake Forest.

Why Is Wake Forest Getting a Railroad Bridge?

The project is part of a larger effort to create grade-separated railroad crossings along the CSX S-Line.

Instead of cars and trains crossing at the same level, roads and railroad tracks are separated vertically using bridges. That eliminates the point where vehicles have to stop for passing trains and, more importantly, eliminates the potential conflict between trains and vehicles at the crossing.

These improvements also support plans for the S-Line passenger rail corridor, which is being developed to eventually provide passenger rail service between Raleigh and Richmond.

NCDOT describes the future corridor as high-performance passenger rail. The project involves much more than simply putting passenger trains on the existing tracks; work is underway or planned throughout the corridor to improve tracks, crossings, bridges, and other infrastructure necessary for future passenger service.

When Will Construction Begin?

This is where it’s important to separate confirmed information from some of the dates that have circulated locally.

The Rogers Road project has experienced several delays over the years, including challenges involving right-of-way acquisition and utilities.

As of August 2026, NCDOT’s current letting schedule shows the Rogers Road Grade Separation construction contract scheduled for October 20, 2026.

That is the scheduled date for NCDOT to receive construction bids—not necessarily the day you’ll see Rogers Road close or major construction begin.

Once a contractor is selected and NCDOT releases a detailed construction and traffic schedule, residents should get a much clearer picture of when traffic patterns will change.

The Town of Wake Forest has previously estimated that the overall construction project will take approximately three years.

Is Rogers Road Going to Completely Close?

At the time of this article, NCDOT and the Town of Wake Forest have not announced a specific date for a long-term full closure of Rogers Road at the railroad tracks.

Current Town information says the construction plans include an on-site detour, which is important because it suggests traffic management will be more nuanced than simply shutting Rogers Road down for the entire construction period.

However, with a project of this size, drivers should be prepared for changing traffic patterns, lane shifts, temporary closures, construction vehicles, and delays as work progresses.

NCDOT says planned closures and detours for S-Line construction will be communicated closer to the applicable construction phases through its website, social media, community notifications, and advance roadway signage.

What Could This Mean for Wake Forest Drivers?

If you live anywhere near Heritage, Heritage Lake Road, Forestville Road, Rogers Road, Ligon Mill Road, or the surrounding communities, this is a project worth watching.

Rogers Road is already one of the area’s major east-west routes, connecting residential communities, schools, shopping, restaurants, and US-1/Capital Boulevard.

During construction, alternate roads could see additional traffic as drivers look for ways around the work zone.

Morning and afternoon commutes will likely be the times when you’ll want to allow the most flexibility, particularly when school traffic overlaps with the normal rush hour.

The biggest advice? Don’t assume your normal route will always be your fastest route once construction begins.

Alternate Routes to Keep in Mind

Until NCDOT releases the official construction detour plan, it’s too early to designate one specific route as the detour. Your best alternative will also depend heavily on where you’re starting and where you’re headed.

However, several major roads surrounding the project provide connections that Wake Forest residents may want to become familiar with, including:

NC 98 Bypass / Dr. Calvin Jones Highway
For some trips, NC 98 can provide a way to move east or west without traveling through the Rogers Road railroad crossing.

South Main Street / US-1A
South Main Street provides another north-south option through Wake Forest and connections toward NC 98 and other major roads.

Heritage Lake Road
Depending on your destination and the construction phase, Heritage Lake Road may provide another connection for drivers traveling through the Heritage area.

Forestville Road
For trips originating east of the railroad tracks, Forestville Road may be useful for reaching other north-south and east-west connections without approaching the construction area.

Burlington Mills Road and Ligon Mill Road
Depending on your destination, roads south of Rogers Road may provide another option for getting around the immediate project area.

Keep in mind that these are potential alternate routes, not NCDOT’s official detour. Once construction begins, traffic volumes and other road projects can affect which route makes the most sense on any particular day.

A Little Patience for a Big Long-Term Change

There’s no sugarcoating it: major road construction in an already busy part of Wake Forest will probably mean some frustrating commutes along the way.

But the finished project should also eliminate something Wake Forest drivers have dealt with for years: stopping at the Rogers Road crossing while a train passes.

Separating Rogers Road from the railroad should improve safety and help traffic move independently of train activity. It will also prepare this growing part of Wake County for the future S-Line passenger rail system.

And that’s a pretty significant change for Wake Forest.

As someone who lives and works in this community, I’ll continue keeping an eye on this project as NCDOT releases additional construction dates, traffic changes, and official detour information.

Because knowing what’s happening around your community matters, whether you’re planning tomorrow morning’s commute or your next move.