TOGETHER WITH

Good afternoon, Raleigh. Why do nurses like red crayons? 

Sometimes they have to draw blood. 🩸

In today’s Raleigh Rundown:

Let’s get to it. 🏃‍♂️

🎄 Christmas at the City
📍 Pine Hollow Middle School — 5365 Bartram Place, Raleigh
🗓 Tue, Dec 23 • 6:00 pm
🎟 Free admission

Hosted by New City Church

Celebrate Christmas with candlelight, carols, and community. Join us for a festive evening with live Christmas music, hot chocolate and treats, a candlelight moment, and a warm and welcoming atmosphere for the whole family. No RSVP needed. Bring a friend and enjoy a beautiful Christmas experience together.

For more info 👉 newcityrdu.com/christmas

As the final phase of Complete 540 pushes toward its 2028 opening, the debate over toll roads in North Carolina is heating up. With construction costs soaring and the state experiencing rapid population growth, communities are increasingly turning to tolls as a way to fund new highway projects.

The Turnpike Authority says requests to study toll options are higher than ever, including a recent review of tolling Capital Boulevard after its projected cost nearly doubled. Public pushback stalled that idea, with many arguing that tolling an existing road is unfair when drivers already pay gas taxes and fees. State leaders say more toll discussions are likely ahead as growth brings more traffic and more need for infrastructure, but consensus remains difficult to achieve.

Plans for a new Costco in Wake Forest have been withdrawn, raising uncertainty about whether the retailer will open a fifth Triangle location. Town officials confirmed the project was removed after the developer failed to resubmit required materials within six months of staff feedback.

The proposed site, near U.S. 1 and Highway 98, was expected to include a 152,000 square foot store, 870 parking spaces, and a gas station. While the broader planned unit development called Grovedale remains active, it no longer shows any Costco details. Neither the developer nor Costco has commented on whether the project may return, leaving Wake Forest residents waiting for clarity. Costco currently operates stores in Raleigh, Apex, Durham, and Garner.

RDU is preparing to settle a long-running dispute after a $27 million taxiway rehabilitation project led to years of significant pavement cracking. The issues began shortly after Taxiway F was rebuilt in 2018, prompting conflict between the contractor and engineering teams over who was responsible.

Airport officials now expect to finalize a $6 million settlement, with Anthony Allega Cement Contractor paying $3.2 million and additional firms covering the remaining amount. RDU says settling avoids costly arbitration and helps the airport move forward with necessary repairs. Meanwhile, the Airport Authority is set to approve a new construction contract for a fresh round of crack repairs as RDU continues major expansion projects, including a new international runway and new flights launching in 2026.

Downtown Raleigh’s own Second Empire Restaurant and Tavern has been ranked the No. 3 fine-dining restaurant in the country by Tripadvisor’s 2025 Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best awards. Located inside the historic Dodd-Hinsdale House, Second Empire is known for its elegant atmosphere, exceptional service, and standout menu.

Reviewers praise the knowledgeable staff, extensive wine list, and memorable cocktails and desserts. The restaurant is also among the most expensive in Downtown Raleigh, with dinner entrées averaging $33–$44. It joins another North Carolina standout—Ristorante Paoletti in Highlands—which landed at No. 13 nationally.

Raleigh-Durham International Airport is quietly acquiring land as it prepares to start construction on a longer replacement runway. To make room, RDU will shift part of Lumley Road north in a two-year, $90 million project that includes utility relocations and several demolitions.

Recent purchases tied to the plan include 4.2 acres of a parking lot for nearly $2.3 million and a tiny 112-square-foot slice of the nearby Honda dealership for $3,850. In total, the airport expects to acquire about 5 acres and has already knocked down multiple buildings near Lumley Road. Roadwork could begin as early as this summer, with the new runway slated to open for takeoffs by 2029.

Need to get some Christmas shopping done? Plenty of holiday markets in Raleigh this weekend!

Architect Philip Freelon on the construction site of RDU's new Terminal C, present-day Terminal 2, July 1986.

Friday

48 🌡️ 32 | 🌥️ | 20%

Saturday

55 🌡️ 36 | 🌤️ | 0%

Sunday

44 🌡️ 18 | 🌦️ | 30%

P.S. It’s hard being Santa’s elves these days…

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