What do a neon-lit pinball cave and a $2.5 billion toll road have in common?
They’re both quietly reshaping life in Wake County—and that’s exactly what this episode of Good Morning Wake County explores.
🎧 Listen to the full episode here:
🎮 A Hidden Arcade You’d Never Expect
In Morrisville, inside a bar called Flight Deck NC, there’s a hallway most people walk past without a second thought. But venture down that hallway, and you’ll find a glowing, tournament-grade arcade maintained by the Triangle Pinball Collective.
These aren’t just machines—they’re personal collections. The community is tight-knit, and the players are serious. Some are even ranked internationally.
“Even if I get knocked out early,” said one player, “I know somebody there. That’s what makes it worth it.”
From neon-lit speakeasy vibes to Twitch-streamed tournaments, this is one of Wake County’s most surprising hidden gems.
🚧 A Road That Could Change Everything
Over in Knightdale, trees are falling to make way for something massive: the next phase of the Complete 540 project. It’s a 10-mile toll road connecting I-40 to I-87, and when it’s done, it could reshape commutes and commerce across eastern Wake County.
Some neighbors near Kemp Drive are concerned about noise and losing their view—but regional planners say the project brings huge upsides: reduced congestion, easier access to jobs, and new opportunities for growth.
“It’s not just a road,” says Regional Transportation Alliance’s Joe Milazzo, “it’s independence from congestion.”
For most of us, that means more time at home, fewer detours, and a faster way to get where we’re going.
Transcript
[0:00] If you thought the Triangle’s best-kept secret was a hush-hush barbecue recipe, you haven’t found the neon hallway in Morrisville that leads to a pinball speakeasy.
[0:10] And just down the road, a billion-dollar road is rewriting life in Nightdale. Good morning, Wake County. I’m Steve Rode, your friend, your neighbor, and your host here, coming to you from beautiful downtown Wake Forest, where we skip the noise and start the day with something good. Today, it’s two very different stories about the places we build, one for joy, one for speed, and the ripple effects they have on the people nearby. And yes, as always, there’s a dad joke ahead that proves roads are way more ambitious than we give them credit for. Tucked inside Flight Deck NC, a bar near the Morrisville RDU Airport. There’s a hallway most patrons walk past without a second thought. But head down that narrow corridor and you’re not in a bar anymore. You’re in pinball heaven. The Triangle Pinball Collective has quietly transformed a few forgotten rooms into a neon-lit tournament-grade arcade. Think speakeasy, but instead of cocktails, it’s bumpers and flippers.
[1:24] Organizer Over Dillard brings machines from his personal stash And he’s not the only one The games here are loaned, loved, and fiercely protected There is nothing quite like it, he told the news and observer The mechanical play, the artwork, and the friendships you pull with people It all started when Flight Deck’s owner, Jesse Marin Was wondering what to do with some empty back rooms, Then pinball enthusiast Jared Lankford showed up for a beer, and the next thing Jesse knew, he was building a pinball collective. And they take it seriously.
[2:03] Twitch streamer Kat Lake said, most local arcades don’t maintain machines well enough for proper play. But this place was opened almost in spite of them, she said. We wanted access and community control. Even Samantha Bacon, ranked 11th in the International Women’s League, says she doesn’t compete just for points. She says, I can show up anywhere in the country and know somebody. She said that’s what makes it worth it. In a world full of disconnection, it’s kind of amazing what a pinball machine can connect.
[2:38] The group even has a chapter of bells and chimes. It’s a space for women, non-binary folks, and queer players Making room for people who often feel excluded They didn’t just build a pinball pin room They built a refuge one quarter at a time.
[2:59] Out near Nightdale, the trees are falling, and for once, that’s not bad news. Crews are clearing space for Phase 2 of the complete 540 project, a 10-mile stretch that will connect I-40 to I-87, forming the eastern arc of a massive loop around Wake County. It’s the kind of project that reshapes a region, not just with pavement and tolls, but with possibility. Two and a half billion dollars, six lanes, 70 miles an hour. That’s more than a road. It’s a new path for parents trying to get home from work faster, for businesses trying to find talent across town, for emergency responders who need to shave five minutes off a call. Joel Malazzo of the Regional Transportation Alliance put it this way, It’s independence from congestion. And for most of us, that’s something worth cheering. But like all progress, this one comes with some trade-offs Some neighbors on Kemp Drive, where the land clearing is just beat from their backyards Are feeling those trade-offs up close.
[4:07] One man told WRAL News he doesn’t expect to move But he’s bracing for more noise and less quiet Still, if Phase 1 is any guide, there’s reason to be hopeful The previous segment opened last fall brought smoother commutes, better business access, and real economic momentum to Southern Wake County.
[4:29] It’s easy to focus on what’s changing, but it’s just as important to ask, hey, what might this make possible? It’s not just a road. It’s a promise that more people might finally get where they’re going a little faster and a little easier.
[4:48] All right, now the moment you’ve been waiting for. Why did the road get promoted? Because there was always going places. Oh, that was bad. Sorry. Hey, if something in this episode made you pause or smile, tell someone. Or better yet, tell someone who needs to hear it. That’s how good stories travel. And if you’re listening to this podcast on YouTube, hey, boop that like button. If you’re on Apple Podcasts, tap those five stars in the review section. It would absolutely make my day. Thank you. Hey, you want more local discoveries? You can always subscribe, share, or suggest a story at tapyournews.com. Thanks for joining me. I’m Steve, and this was Good Morning, Wake County.