RALEIGH, N.C. — The North Carolina Department of Transportation will provide $16.3 million in funding for 15 rail infrastructure projects through its Rail Division’s Freight Rail & Rail Crossing Safety Improvement program.
With matching grants from participating railroads and the N.C. Ports Authority, the projects will have a total value of $41.5 million.
“These projects deliver significant benefits to North Carolina’s freight rail network,” Jason Orthner, director of NCDOT’s Rail Division, said in a press release. “By working closely with our railroad partners, we are strengthening reliability and resiliency, supporting businesses across the state, and reinforcing the rail infrastructure that drives North Carolina’s economy.”
The Aberdeen Carolina & Western Railway received the largest award, more than $4.845 million for rail replacement on the railroad’s Piedmont Division.
“We are grateful to partner with the NCDOT on ACWR’s large-scale infrastructure project, which promotes safe and efficient freight movement in our region,” said Anthony Menzies, CEO of the AC&W. “The combination of private and NCDOT funds also allowed us to leverage over $8.9 million in matching grants from the Federal Railroad Administration, which will support economic development across the state.”
State funding also went to:
- Aberdeen & Rockfish Railroad: $711,397 for track upgrades and service continuity on its main line in Hoke County.
- Alexander Railroad Co.: $495,026 for track and grade-crossing upgrades on its main line in Iredell County; $381,797 for track and corridor upgrades near the Alexander Industrial Park.
- Atlantic & Western Railway: $690,440 for corridor improvements and track upgrades on its Jonesboro Branch in Lee County.
- Chesapeake & Albemarle Railroad: $712,801 for track and bridge improvements in Camden, Pasquotank, Perquimans, and Chowan counties on its main line and Edenton siding.
- Carolina Coastal Railway: $1.23 million for rail and bridge improvements along its Belhaven and NS lines in Beauford, Greene, Washington, and Wilson counties.
- Great Smoky Mountains Railroad: $1.68 million for track improvements and bridge repairs along its main line in Jackson, Swain, Macon, and Cherokee counties.
- North Carolina Ports, Morehead City: $844,860 for rail replacements and improvements within the port; $177,500 for installation of a rail scale.
- North Carolina & Virginia Railroad: $979,813 for mainline rail replacements and improvements in Northampton County.
- Raleigh & Fayetteville Railroad: $999,586 for improvements to its NS and VF lines in Wake and Harnett counties.
- Winston-Salem Southbound Railroad: $1.11 million f or rail improvements along its W Line in Davidson County.
- Wilmington Terminal Railroad: $627,000 for rail and switch improvements along its main line in New Hanover County.
- Yadkin Valley Railroad: $754,700 for track upgrades and rail corridor improvements along its K and CF lines in Yadkin, Surry, and Stokes counties.
In all, the projects will provide improvements to more than 95 miles of track and improve eight bridges and culverts.
— To report news or errors, contact trainsnewswire@firecrown.com.
