City of Raleigh Transportation Bonds ReferendumBorrow up to $101.5 million for streets, sidewalks and other transportation projects
What your vote means
The City of Raleigh may borrow up to $101.5 million for streets, sidewalks and other transportation projects, and may raise property taxes to pay it back with interest.
The City of Raleigh may not borrow this money with these bonds.
Our one-line summary of the official wording.
In plain words
Our summary of the official materials and local reporting.
- A bond is a loan. Voters are asked whether the City of Raleigh may borrow up to $101.5 million, plus interest, for streets, sidewalks and other transportation projects. source: ncsbe.gov (State Board of Elections)
- The official wording says property taxes in the City of Raleigh may go up to pay the loan back. source: ncsbe.gov (State Board of Elections)
- Planned uses: $51.5 million for three road projects (Marsh Creek Road and Trawick Road-West, Ebenezer Church Road, and general traffic lanes along the Southern Bus Rapid Transit corridor); $40 million for citywide plans like the "Big Jump" sidewalk and bikeway expansion and safety projects; $10 million for neighborhood traffic calming. source: raleighnc.gov
- The city lists the direct tax impact as $0. source: raleighnc.gov
Cost: Up to $101.5 million borrowed, repaid with interest from property taxes in the City of Raleigh. Official estimate of the total cost with interest, using the highest interest rate of the last 20 years: $164,607,118. Official estimate of the property tax increase: $0 a year for each $100,000 of property value.
Why people want it, and why others object
Why this is on the ballot
- Raleigh City Council started the process in April 2026 and adopted the bond orders on May 19, 2026, putting two $101.5 million bonds (housing and transportation) on the Nov. 3 ballot. Each is a separate vote. source: raleighnc.gov
- City Chief Financial Officer Allison Bradsher: "The city has debt affordability totaling $203 million ... and it comes without a tax increase." The city says it will repay the bonds from its existing "Steady State" capital fund. source: raleighnc.gov
Why supporters want it
No public statement found.
Why opponents object
- Donald Bryson, president and CEO of the John Locke Foundation: "Our concern is more about making debt a routine way to finance government priorities." He said the Steady State fund does not remove the cost of borrowing. source: wunc.org
Who backs each side
No public record found of a campaign committee or campaign money for either side.
In each side's own words where we could find them, quoted or summarized with a link to the source. We don't endorse either side.
What you will see on your ballot
Official ballot wording, word for word (tap to open)
Word for word from the State Board of Elections' official list of local referendums for Nov 3, 2026: ncsbe.gov (State Board of Elections) .
Additional property taxes may be levied on property located in the City of Raleigh, North Carolina in an amount sufficient to pay the principal of and interest on bonds if approved by the following ballot question. Shall the order adopted on May 19, 2026, authorizing $101,500,000 TRANSPORTATION BONDS of the City of Raleigh, North Carolina, plus interest, for the purpose of providing funds, together with any other available funds, for various transportation related improvements inside and outside the corporate limits of said City, including, without limitation, street, sidewalk and streetscape improvements, bridges, bicycle lanes, curbs and drains, traffic controls, greenways, bus and train station and shelter improvements, and the acquisition of any related land, rights of way and equipment, and providing that additional taxes may be levied in an amount sufficient to pay the principal of and interest on the bonds, be approved, in light of the following: (1) The estimated cumulative cost over the life of said bonds, using the highest interest rate charged for similar debt over the last 20 years, would be $164,607,118, consisting of the $101,500,000 principal amount of said bonds, plus $63,107,118 of estimated interest. (2) The estimated amount of property tax liability increase for each one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) of property tax value to service the cumulative cost over the life of said bonds provided above would be $0 (zero dollars) per year.
- Yes
- No
Latest news
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