RALEIGH, N.C. — The North Carolina Department of Transportation’s Rail Division has awarded $10.2 million for its share of 10 rail infrastructure projects at state short lines and ports.
The state provides a 50% share of funding for the projects, which will improve 27 miles of track and 14 bridges, through its Freight Rail and Rail Crossing Safety Improvement program. The rail companies will provide the remainder of the funding.
“We are pleased to work with our short line railroad partners to improve the state’s critical freight rail network,” Jason Orthner, NCDOT Rail director, said in a press release. “These projects are important investments to ensure our infrastructure can support growing transportation demands and economic development opportunities.”
Projects selected, with their state funding, are:
— Aberdeen Carolina & Western Railway: $664,411 for bridge and culvert upgrades on the Piedmont Division.
— Aberdeen & Rockfish Railroad: $594,141 for mainline track upgrades.
— Atlantic &Western Railway: $569,708 for track upgrades to the Jonesboro Branch.
— Carolina Coastal Railway: $97,696 for mainline track upgrades in Clinton, N.C.
— Charlotte Western Railroad: $222,042 for mainline track upgrades.
— Chesapeake & Albemarle Railroad: $675,510 for bridge improvements and mainline track upgrades.
— Great Smoky Mountains Railroad: $1,319,745 for bridge improvements and mainline track upgrades.
— North Carolina State Ports Authority-Morehead City Port: $1,011,652 for track and rail crossing upgrades.
— North Carolina State Ports Authority-Wilmington Port: $2,780,890 for construction of new tracks.
— North Carolina & Virginia Railroad: $800,916 for mainline track upgrades and improvement of a rail crossing.
— Raleigh & Fayetteville Railroad: $942,725 for track improvements to the Fuquay Branch.
— Wilmington Terminal Railroad: $590,846 for track upgrades to the port Dock Lead.
Locations not really specified