More News

NCDOT awards short line railroad grants; Which railroads across the GFBJ coverage area made the cut?

By Staff Report, posted 2 years ago
Image courtesy of NCDOT

The N.C. Department of Transportation’s Rail Division is investing $10.2 million as part of 50-50 matching grant funding for rail infrastructure projects along 10 short line railroads and at the North Carolina Ports.

The state’s share of the $20.5 million for all the rail projects is provided through the NCDOT’s Freight Rail & Rail Crossing Safety Improvement (FRRCSI) program. It will match equal investments from several railroad companies. 

“We are pleased to work with our short line railroad partners to improve the state’s critical freight rail network,” said Jason Orthner, NCDOT rail director, in a press release. “These projects are important investments to ensure our infrastructure can support growing transportation demands and economic development opportunities.”

Through the FRRCSI program, NCDOT’s Rail Division partners with railroad companies to support statewide freight rail infrastructure health, safety and performance. This public-private partnership helps efficiently and cost-effectively meet the growing demand for rail service.

Each of the rail improvement projects will be paid for with 50-50 matching funds from the state and private railroad companies. Three projects within the Greater Fayetteville Business Journal’s coverage area were granted funds. 

They are: 

  • Aberdeen and Rockfish Railroad: $594,141 for track upgrades on the mainline rail corridor (Hoke County)
  • Carolina Coastal Railway: $97,696 for track upgrades along the mainline rail corridor in Clinton, NC (Sampson County)
  • Raleigh and Fayetteville Railroad: $942,725 for track improvements to the Fuquay Branch (Cumberland and Harnett Counties)

The projects will support the increase of freight rail traffic on the statewide railroad network, and reduce highway traffic congestion by diverting freight to rail.

Ico insights

INSIGHTS

SPONSORS' CONTENT

In The Current Issue

Germène's Home Kitchen & Bakery now open

A family affair: Along with a full staff, Owner Eddie Claude and his wife Ruth (pictured right) work with their kids to run the restaurant. Eddie is a Veteran who served for 21 years in the U.S. Army. Photos by YGH STUDIOS & GFBJ. The Fayett


Editor's note: Summer jobs

With summer in full swing, I started to reflect on the various ways I spent my summer break over the years. From pool parties with friends to family vacations and sports tournaments, I look back fondly on the summers I’ve enjoyed so far. But it


Preserving rural roots: Gray's Creek residents launch effort to become a town

Proposed incorporation boundary (pink) · Gray’s Creek, Cumberland County, N.C. This is a working draft and is subject to revision. Image courtesy of grayscreeknc.com. After decades as an unincorporated rural community in Cumberland County, Gray’