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.