Raleigh Completes 4-Year Bridge Project

New span connects NC State campus to botanical gardens

Apr. 6, 2026 at 4:34pm

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A highly stylized, pop art-inspired illustration featuring a repeated image of the new Ligon Street bridge in Raleigh, rendered in a bold, neon color palette with heavy black outlines, conceptually representing the infrastructure upgrade and community connectivity.The vibrant new Ligon Street bridge in Raleigh connects the NC State campus to a popular botanical garden, enhancing access and visibility for the community.Today in Raleigh

After a four-year construction effort, the city of Raleigh has completed a new bridge project that carries Ligon Street over the Interstate 440 Beltline, connecting North Carolina State University's main campus with the JC Raulston Arboretum.

Why it matters

The new bridge replaces an aging tunnel and improves connectivity between the university and one of Raleigh's top botanical attractions, enhancing access for students, faculty, and the broader community.

The details

The $45 million bridge project involved demolishing an outdated tunnel and constructing a modern span that is wider, taller, and better equipped to handle increased vehicle and pedestrian traffic between the NC State campus and the JC Raulston Arboretum.

  • Construction on the bridge project began in 2022.
  • The new bridge officially opened to the public on April 1, 2026.

The players

NC State University

A public research university located in Raleigh, North Carolina, with a main campus that is now better connected to the JC Raulston Arboretum via the new Ligon Street bridge.

JC Raulston Arboretum

A 10-acre botanical garden operated by NC State University, featuring a diverse collection of plants and serving as a popular destination for students, faculty, and the local community.

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The takeaway

The successful completion of this bridge project demonstrates Raleigh's commitment to improving infrastructure and enhancing connectivity between important community assets, benefiting both the university and the broader public.