RALEIGH, N.C. — Eleven short line railroads and two ports in North Carolina will receive almost $13 million in grant funding from the state’s Freight Rail & Rail Crossing Safety Improvement program, the N.C. Department of Transportation’s Rail Division has announced.
The funding, which requires a 50% match from recipients, will go to a total of 14 projects. Those projects will upgrade more than 10 miles of rail lines, improve 16 bridges, and enhance port operations.
“The benefits these projects offer the statewide freight rail network can’t be overstated,” Jason Orthner, NCDOT Rail Division director, said in a press release. “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.”
Grants awarded include:
— $3.89 million to North Carolina Ports (Wilmington) for construction of rail storage track and raising adjoining track.
— $2.08 million to Great Smoky Mountains Railroad for refurbishment and construction of new sidings, track upgrades, culvert and drainage upgrades and slope retaining wall construction.
— $1.01 million to the North Carolina & Virginia Railroad for track upgrades and rail corridor improvements.
— $999,586 to the Raleigh & Fayetteville Railroad for rail corridor improvements.
— $723,130 to the Aberdeen & Rockfish Railroad for track upgrades on the Aberdeen district.
— $639,528 to the Wilmington Terminal Railroad for track upgrades within the Wilmington port rail yard.
— $500,000 to the Alexander Railroad Co. for track upgrades on the mainline rail corridor, and $125,000 for track upgrades in the Statesville rail yard.
— $607,735 to the Chesapeake & Albemarle Railroad for bridge improvements and track upgrades along the CA main line.
— $555,678 to North Carolina Ports (Morehead City) for upgrades to track, rail/highway crossings, and railcar switching operations.
— $494,940 to the Atlantic & Western Railway for corridor improvements and track upgrades to the Cumnock branch.
— $388,192 to Atlantic Railways Co. for track upgrades along the Badin subdivision.
— $177,450 to the Aberdeen Carolina and Western Railway for bridge improvements along the Piedmont and Sandhills divisions.
— $750,140 to the Yadkin Valley Railroad for rail track upgrades and rail corridor improvements.
