Construction on the first Raleigh bus rapid transit line was supposed to start next month, but the city still hasn't found a builder,

Construction on the first Raleigh bus rapid transit line was supposed to start next month, but the city still hasn't found a builder, the News & Observer reports .

Why it matters: Raleigh's BRT, which operates similarly to light rail but at a cheaper cost , will be the first in the state.

• The project aims to alleviate traffic congestion for the city's bus system and increase accessibility.
• It's also one of Raleigh's biggest investments, totaling nearly $100 million for its eastern section alone.

Driving the news: Seven months after Raleigh's groundbreaking ceremony for the line, the city is preparing to put the project out for a bid a second time, according to the N&O.

• The city's initial May 7 deadline for bids came and went without any contractors putting in an offer to construct the line.
• Despite interest by contractors, some said they were unsure they could meet the stipulated two-year deadline, a project manager for the city's engineering services department told the N&O.

Context: Raleigh's first of four BRT lines will run 5.4 miles down New Bern Avenue between downtown and WakeMed and New Hope Road.

• Buses will operate in their own lanes, have elevated platforms at 10 stations and get priority green lights.

Zoom out: The BRT network will one day stretch four different directions from downtown, including a southern leg to downtown Garner, a western leg to downtown Cary and northern routes to North Hills and Triangle Town Center.

• Already, the planned routes are influencing development and land acquisitions along the future routes .

What's next: The city will put a call out for new bids sometime in the next month. In this bid, it will allow contractors more than two years to finish the project.

• Construction would then start in the fall, the N&O reports.