For a new Cary station, my preference is to realign the CSX tracks to the north side of the existing station (in the parking lot between the station and the NCRR)
and do a split grade separation where the tracks are raised by 10ft and the roads are depressed by the same 10ft. While the tracks are up, go ahead and punch Walker through as well and build a pedestrian access from the station to the platform. No need to rebuild the station building. Build the platforms along the tangent section furthest east, probably extending west from Academy. Use the old (abandoned) CSX right of way segment between Harrison and Academy for buses, and turn the rest of it west towards Old Apex into an extension of Cedar Street or a new rail trail or something.
Did a doodle of a possible CSX realignment that is… not without its impacts… but then, NCDOT doesn’t bat an eyelash at property impacts like this for highway projects. The most concerning is the park impact. The actual impact would be minuscule and easily possible to mitigate, but those sort of things tend to get alternatives “screened out” as non-starters in the first round, before their benefits are even estimated.
Any alternative that… impacts… the strip club just across Harrison from the train station would be a good thing in my book. Oops! Need part of their parking lot. That’ll be a … full acquisition!