The North Carolina Department of Transportation has major alterations planned for Beryl Road in Raleigh, and a popular restaurant is reassuring its patrons that it is maintaining a positive outlook for the changes the project promises.
Neomonde Mediterranean, located at 3817 Beryl Road, is a favorite for Raleigh diners. The NCDOT’s approximately $11 million plan will completely rework the road in front of the restaurant, bringing up questions about accessibility, noise and traffic.
Chris Saleh, co-owner of Neomonde Mediterranean with his sister, said they are hopeful that the road project will have a positive effect on their business. While the restaurateurs have hope, they aren’t without some apprehension.
“We are hoping that this process won’t disrupt business for any extended period of time since we are a retail business which requires both visibility and accessibility,” Saleh said. But overall, “It will be an improvement.”
The NCDOT wants to remove a curved portion of Beryl Road that connects it to Hillsborough Street at a railroad crossing and extend Beryl Road roughly 500 feet to Royal Street. The extension will allow traffic to take Royal Street over the railroad tracks to Hillsborough. Construction is set to begin in 2032. The NCDOT is taking comments from the public on the project, which can be submitted online until Sept 27.
“The purpose of the project is to improve vehicular safety and rail transportation efficiency and reliability throughout the project area,” the NCDOT said in a news release.
That 500-foot extension will redirect vehicle traffic toward Neomonde. In Beryl Road’s current state, most drivers veer off before they pass by the restaurant.
Neomonde just this year renovated its space, creating a new outdoor dining area that faces Beryl Road. Construction, debris, noise, restricted accessibility and safety are concerns for the eatery, according to Saleh. However, in the end, Saleh said he and his sister feel that the increase in road traffic will be a positive addition to their business as long as it is zoned for a slower speed, not just for the dining spot’s visibility but for public safety.
N.C. Department of Transportation plans to extend Beryl Road to Royal Street and close the Beryl Road railroad crossing.
Part of the NCDOT’s Beryl Road plan is the construction of a 12-foot walking path that would start across the road from the current curved intersection with Hillsborough Street near The Loading Dock coworking space and conclude at the end of the new extension near Royal Street. That path, as currently planned, would pass right in front of Neomonde. That is definitely welcome for Saleh.
“Anything that promotes a friendly and safe walking and biking environment will be beneficial to the business,” he said.
Neomonde traces its roots back to 1977 when it was just a bakery at the Beryl Road location. The family ownership added a deli that Saleh started working at on opening day in 1989. Saleh and his sister created Neomonde Mediterranean in the 2010s, expanding it to three locations. The road project is part of the change and adaptation that has kept Neomonde a staple of the Triangle, and Saleh emphasized they’re committed to keeping their Raleigh restaurant accessible to guests during the road project.
“More than anything we want to stay positive. This is an improvement not a detriment,” he said. “Stick with us and keep coming in.”
Dining and Cooking