North Carolina — The Rail Division of the North Carolina Department of Transportation is allocating nearly $13 million to enhance rail infrastructure.
These funds will go towards a total of 11 short line freight railroads including the state ports in both Morehead City and Wilmington, according to the release.
“The benefits these projects offer the statewide freight rail network can’t be overstated,” said Jason Orthner, NCDOT Rail Division director. “Together, NCDOT and our short line partners are increasing reliability and resiliency in freight rail operations, supporting North Carolina businesses and contributing to the state’s economic vitality.”
The state is contributing $12.9 million through the Freight Rail & Rail Crossing Safety Improvement program, which launched in 2014. This program aims to enhance the health, safety, and performance of freight rail infrastructure across the state while fostering partnerships to address the increasing demand for rail services.
This state funding will be matched by equal investments from participating railroad companies and the NC Ports Authority. In total, these projects will insert $25.8 million into the freight rail network statewide.
The following were awarded funds:
- Aberdeen Carolina and Western Railway: $177,450 for bridge improvements along the Piedmont and Sandhills divisions (Cabarrus, Mecklenburg, Montgomery, and Stanly counties).
- Aberdeen & Rockfish Railroad: $723,130 for track upgrades on the Aberdeen district (Hoke County).
- Alexander Railroad Company: $500,000 for track upgrades on the mainline rail corridor (Alexander County).
- Alexander Railroad Company: $125,000 for track upgrades in the Statesville rail yard (Iredell County).
- Atlantic Railways Company: $388,192 for track upgrades along the Badin subdivision (Stanly County).
- Atlantic & Western Railway: $494,950 for corridor improvements and track upgrades to the Cumnock branch (Lee County).
- Chesapeake & Albemarle Railroad: $607,735 for bridge improvements and track upgrades along the CA mainline (Camden, Pasquotank, Perquimans counties).
- Great Smoky Mountains Railroad: $2,080,364 for refurbishment and construction of new sidings, track upgrades, culvert and drainage upgrades and slope retaining wall construction (Jackson, Swain, Macon, Cherokee counties).
- North Carolina Ports (Morehead City): $555,678 for upgrades to track, rail/highway crossings, and railcar switching operations (Carteret County).
- North Carolina Ports (Wilmington): $3,891,020 for construction of rail storage track and raising adjoining track (New Hanover County).
- North Carolina and Virginia Railroad: $1,011,279 for track upgrades and rail corridor improvements (Bertie and Northampton counties).
- Raleigh & Fayetteville Railroad: $999,586 for rail corridor improvements (Wake and Harnett counties).
- Wilmington Terminal Railroad: $639,528 for track upgrades within the Wilmington port rail yard (New Hanover County).
- Yadkin Valley Railroad: $750,130 for rail track upgrades and rail corridor improvements (Surry County).
The NCDOT has announced the project will enhance more than 10 miles of railroad corridor, upgrade 16 railroad bridges, and improve port rail operations, all aimed at boosting freight rail traffic across the state’s railroad network.