Special to IFN

RALEIGH — Gov. Roy Cooper has announced that the N.C. Railroad Company (NCRR) has been awarded a $105 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation through the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement Program (CRISI).

The announcement represents a major step forward in enhancing North Carolina’s rail infrastructure, aimed at improving both passenger and freight services in the state’s busiest rail corridor.

The $105.6 million investment, combined with contributions from NCRR, the N.C. Department of Transportation (NCDOT), and Norfolk Southern (NS), brings the total project funding to $170 million. The project is expected to deliver $214.49 million in public benefits, including substantial economic growth, safety enhancements, and environmental improvements.

“Continued investment in passenger and commercial rail is good for our communities and economy across North Carolina,” Cooper explained. “We are working together to make historic investments moving people and goods faster and safer, and I appreciate the Biden-Harris Administration and our federal delegation for their work securing this monumental investment.”

“This is an extraordinary moment for North Carolina’s rail network,” added NCRR President and CEO Carl Warren. “Improved freight and passenger rail services will accommodate one of the fastest-growing regions in the country and will enable a new era of rail capacity in North Carolina. Thanks to the support of Governor Roy Cooper, Senators Thom Tillis and Ted Budd, our bipartisan congressional delegation, and rail partners, we are positioned to modernize our rail system, improving the safe and efficient movement of both passengers and freight. This is a significant win for the entire state.”

Investments in North Carolina’s passenger rail corridor will allow for increased ridership and new routes. For the first six months of 2024, over 342,000 customers rode NC By Train, which is 20 percent higher than during the same period in 2023. There are currently 10 daily trains between Raleigh and Charlotte, and each month in 2024 has been record-breaking for that particular month. Last year, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced a $1.1 billion grant supporting the S-Line, which will feature higher speed rail and a direct route between Raleigh and Richmond.

The $105.6 million in federal funds are being supported by state matches, including $34 million from NCDOT, $17.8 million from NCRR and $13 million from Norfolk Southern.

The Carolinian and Piedmont Passenger and Freight Improvements Project will bring key upgrades across seven locations, including Raleigh, Cary, Morrisville, Hillsborough, Burlington, and Greensboro. These improvements will allow for additional passenger trains and significantly reduce freight and passenger delays.

Construction is slated to begin in 2025, following the design and environmental permitting phases.

The CRISI Program, which is administered by the Federal Railroad Administration, advances projects that modernize America’s freight and passenger rail infrastructure, allowing people and goods to move more safely and efficiently.

About the North Carolina Railroad Company

The North Carolina Railroad Company manages 317 miles of rail corridor, transforming its trusted expertise and unique assets into economic advantages. The company’s mission is to focus on rail and safety expertise, assets, and advantageous corridor to provide dynamic services and best-in-class solutions.