RALEIGH, NC — The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has been awarded a nearly $300 million grant from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to improve safety, reliability, and capacity of current and future passenger rail service along the Piedmont Corridor.
“This federal investment demonstrates our partners' confidence in North Carolina's ability to deliver major rail projects," North Carolina Transportation Secretary Daniel Johnson said. “We thank the Federal Railroad Administration, Amtrak, the North Carolina Railroad Company, and Norfolk Southern for supporting this important project to modernize and improve safety and travel times along the route between Raleigh and Charlotte."
The FRA awarded the grant through its National Railroad Partnership Program, which funds capital projects that improve and expand intercity passenger rail service. The Piedmont Corridor Safety Program will improve the rail corridor used by NC By Train's Piedmont and Carolinian services between Raleigh and Charlotte in North Carolina.
"Investments in North Carolina’s rail infrastructure support our state’s growing population and economy,” Governor Josh Stein said. “This federal investment will make passenger rail safer and more reliable, reduce delays, and improve connectivity from Raleigh to Charlotte. As more North Carolinians choose NC By Train, we are building a stronger transportation network that will keep North Carolinians moving safely and efficiently for decades to come.”
The Piedmont Corridor Safety Program will:
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- Close six at-grade railroad crossings and construct two new highway bridges in Guilford County
- Close three at-grade railroad crossings and construct two new highway bridges in Durham County
- Add nearly 6 miles of second track and make other infrastructure improvements in Guilford, Durham, and Wake counties
- Establish a new anti-trespassing program to improve safety along the rail corridor
Removing at-grade crossings separates trains from vehicles and pedestrians, reducing the opportunities for collisions while improving the movement of passenger and freight trains. The additional track and bridge improvements will help reduce delays and increase the corridor's capacity for future service. The grant is part of a $5.3 billion nationwide investment announced by the U.S. Department of Transportation to improve rail safety, modernize infrastructure, and support passenger rail service across the country. Additional information about the project schedule and individual improvements will be announced as planning and design progress.
