More News

NCDOT awards grants to improve short line railroads

By Staff Report, posted 7 months ago
Aberdeen Carolina and Western Railway's Summit View rail car. Photo provided by NCDOT.

The N.C. Department of Transportation’s Rail Division is investing $1.8 million as part of 50-50 matching grant funding to improve rail infrastructure on three short line railroads. This grant funding is in addition to $10.2 million in grants to 12 short line railroads, announced in December 2023 under the same program.

The state’s $1.8 million share for the rail projects is provided through the NCDOT’s Freight Rail & Rail Crossing Safety Improvement program. It will match equal investments from several railroad companies. 

“We value our continued partnership with the short line railroads of North Carolina,” said Jason Orthner, NCDOT Rail Director, in a press release. “These projects improve the safe and efficient transit of freight, while safeguarding the viability of our statewide freight rail network.”

The projects will improve three railroad bridges and 18 miles of railroad track improvements in North Carolina, supporting the increase of freight rail traffic on the statewide railroad network, and reducing highway traffic congestion by diverting freight to rail.

Each of the rail improvement projects will be paid for with 50-50 matching funds from the state and private railroad companies. 

Within GFBJ’s coverage area, Aberdeen Carolina and Western Railway is being awarded $762,148 in funding for track and bridge upgrades, and construction of rail sidings and transloading infrastructure along the Piedmont and Sandhills divisions (Mecklenburg, Montgomery, Moore and Stanly counties).

The Freight Rail and Rail Crossing Safety Improvement Program was established in 2013 by the N.C. General Assembly.

Ico insights

INSIGHTS

SPONSORS' CONTENT
cape-fear-valley-health mark-rose headshott

Cape Fear Valley Health’s simulation center provides next level training for medical professionals

Mark Rose - Director of Workforce Development, Cape Fear Valley Health
fayetteville-state-university daniel-autrey-phd headshott

FSU introduces new degree program to bolster the state’s manufacturing workforce

Daniel Autrey, PhD - Associate Professor & Chair Department of Chemistry, Physics, & Materials Science at Lloyd College of Health, Science, and Technology, Fayetteville State University
north-carolina-military-business-center trent-ensley headshott

Fayetteville Technical Community College and North Carolina Military Business Center to host Federal Food Symposium April 1-2

Trent Ensley - Federal Business Development Professional, North Carolina Military Business Center

In The Current Issue

Getting things done in Dunn: Nancy Blackman reflects on her career in supporting and funding small businesses in rural NC

Nancy Blackman. Photo provided by Blackman.In the landscape of regional rural economic development, Nancy J. Blackman stands out for providing financial opportunities to hundreds of small businesses and helping them to forge a path forward in uncerta


On a mission: Kaylynn Suarez is ready to engage with the community as the new executive director of the Fayetteville Dogwood Festival in 2025

PHOTO BY RAYMIE DAY PHOTOGRAPHY Kaylynn Suarez became executive director of the Fayetteville Dogwood Festival in December of 2024. Since then, she has outdone herself at every turn. But it’s not just all her experience, Suarez’s positive, go-get


Editor's note: "I'm Every Woman"

Happy Women’s History Month all! I hope you took some time to reflect on the important women in your life on International Women’s Day this past Saturday, March 8. I myself have had the unofficial theme song of the month “I’m Every Woman” by the irre