ABERDEEN – N.C. Department of Transportation maintenance crews will temporarily close a section of N.C. 5 in Moore County next week so Aberdeen Carolina Western Railroad can safely remove a railroad crossing. Starting at 9 a.m. on June 23, both directions of N.C. 5 will close west of the intersection of N.C. 5 and Saunders Avenue. The road is scheduled to reopen by 6 p.m. on June 24. A signed detour will be in place along with message boards to direct motorists to use U.S. 1, Roseland Road and Sand Pit Road. Transportation officials remind drivers to plan ahead, be alert to construction crews in the area and obey all posted traffic signs. For real-time travel information, visit DriveNC.gov and follow NCDOT on social media. |
NCDOT Awards Grants to Improve North Carolina Freight Rail System
RALEIGH – The N.C. Department of Transportation’s Rail Division is investing $16.3 million to improve freight rail infrastructure on 12 short line railroads and at the Port of Morehead City.
“These projects deliver significant benefits to North Carolina’s freight rail network,” said Jason Orthner, director of NCDOT’s Rail Division. “By working closely with our railroad partners, we are strengthening reliability and resiliency, supporting businesses across the state, and reinforcing the rail infrastructure that drives North Carolina’s economy.”
NCDOT’s $16.3 million contribution is funded through the Freight Rail & Rail Crossing Safety Improvement (FRRCSI) program. The program, established in 2014 by the N.C. General Assembly, supports the health, safety and performance of the state’s rail infrastructure while establishing partnerships to meet the growing demand for rail service.
The Rail Division’s grants are matched by investments from participating railroad companies and the N.C. Ports Authority. In total, these partnerships are putting $41.5 million into projects that improve North Carolina’s freight rail network.
“We are grateful to partner with the NCDOT on ACWR’s large-scale infrastructure project, which promotes safe and efficient freight movement in our region,” said Anthony Menzies, CEO of Aberdeen Carolina and Western Railway, a short-line railroad that operates a 150-mile freight corridor between Charlotte and Aberdeen. “The combination of private and NCDOT funds also allowed us to leverage over $8.9 million in matching grants from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), which will support economic development across the state.”
The projects will upgrade and improve over 95 miles of railroad track and improve eight railroad bridges and culverts in North Carolina, supporting the increase of freight rail traffic on the statewide railroad network.
The awarded projects and NCDOT’s contribution to each include:
- Aberdeen Carolina and Western Railway: $4,845,392 in funding for rail replacement and improvements along the ACWR Piedmont Division. (Cabarrus and Mecklenburg counties).
- Aberdeen and Rockfish Railroad: $771,397 for track upgrades and continuity of service on the AR Mainline (Hoke County).
- Alexander Railroad Company: $381,797 for track and corridor upgrades near the Alexander Industrial Park (Alexander County).
- Alexander Railroad Company: $495,026 for track and grade-crossing upgrades on the mainline rail corridor (Iredell County).
- Atlantic & Western Railway: $690,440 for corridor improvements and rail track upgrades on the Jonesboro branch (Lee County).
- Chesapeake & Albemarle Railroad: $712,801 for bridge and track improvements along the mainline corridor and Edenton siding (Camden, Pasquotank, Perquimans, and Chowan counties).
- Carolina Coastal Railway: $1,230,000 for rail and bridge improvements along the Belhaven and NS lines (Beaufort, Greene, Washington, and Wilson counties).
- Great Smoky Mountains Railroad: $1,680,614 for track improvements and bridge repairs along the mainline corridor (Jackson, Swain, Macon, and Cherokee counties).
- North Carolina Ports (Morehead City): $177,500 for rail scale installation at the Port of Morehead City (Carteret County).
- North Carolina Ports (Morehead City): $844,860 for rail replacement and upgrades within the Port of Morehead City (Carteret County).
- North Carolina and Virginia Railroad: $979,813 for rail replacement and improvements along the mainline corridor (Northampton County).
- Raleigh & Fayetteville Railroad: $999,586 for rail corridor improvements to the NS and VF lines (Wake and Harnett counties).
- Winston-Salem Southbound Railroad: $1,112,500 for rail improvements along the W line (Davidson County).
- Wilmington Terminal Railroad: $627,000 for rail and switch improvements along the mainline corridor (New Hanover County).
- Yadkin Valley Railroad: $754,700 for track upgrades and rail corridor improvements along the K and CF lines (Yadkin, Surry, and Stokes counties).
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NCDOT Releases State Rail Plan for Public Comment
| RALEIGH – The North Carolina Department of Transportation’s Rail Division has released its State Rail Plan for public comment. “Updating this report helps us strategically plan for the future of North Carolina’s passenger and freight rail systems,” said Jason Orthner, Rail Division Director at the N.C. Department of Transportation. “Public feedback is essential to ensure we’re supporting a rail network that serves and benefits all North Carolinians.” The State Rail Plan helps identify needs and guides public investments in North Carolina’s freight and passenger rail network. The 2025 plan aims to clearly communicate the vision for North Carolina’s rail system while supporting the state’s goals and policies when it comes to rail. The report not only highlights needs and plans for passenger rail but for freight rail and economic investment as well. Some key initiatives in the report are: |
- Continued development and improvement of the Southeast Corridor, including NC By Train Piedmont and Carolinian corridors, to allow for further improvement and expansion of North Carolina intercity passenger rail service.
- Continued grade separation and crossing improvement projects to increase safety.
- Increased access to ports and inland freight facilities.
- The improvement of passenger and freight facilities statewide to support increased railroad activity in the state.
Furthermore, the State Rail Plan estimates levels of financial investment necessary to meet future railroad demands while growing the railroad networks vitality and economic contribution to the state.
Public comment on the report with be open through Jan. 20, 2026. To comment on the report, visit NCDOT’s Public Input website.
BeRailSafe Partners with Clayton Police to Promote National See Tracks? Think Train! Week
| CLAYTON – BeRailSafe, the N.C. Department of Transportation Rail Division’s railroad safety unit, is promoting National See Tracks? Think Train! Week through education and outreach. “National See Tracks? Think Train Week is a great opportunity to highlight railroad track and crossing safety messaging that we teach year-round” said NCDOT Rail Division director, Jason Orthner. “It is important for everyone to know how to safely and legally behave around railroad tracks and crossings to avoid unnecessary track tragedies.” On Tuesday, BeRailSafe and partner organizations, including the Clayton Police Department, N.C. Operation Lifesaver, Amtrak Police and Norfolk Southern Police, conducted three simultaneous crossing blitzes in Clayton and talked to over 1500 motorists to provide railroad track and crossing safety information. A “crossing blitz” is a public awareness safety exercise organized on roads near a railroad crossing where motorists are greeted and thanked for practicing safe driving behaviors. These activities emphasize the importance of obeying crossing safety and anti-trespass laws. See Tracks? Think Train! Week happening Sept. 15 – 22 urges the public to be alert, recognize rail-related risks and take an active role in preventing tragic incidents. Throughout the week, state railroad safety programs and partners across the U.S. deliver rail safety education through community outreach, social media campaigns, news stories and in-person events. “It’s critical we get this information to as many people as possible to make them aware of the dangers of unsafe behavior around railroad tracks and crossings,” says Ain Flowers, NCDOT’s BeRailSafe program coordinator. “Our No. 1 goal is to save lives by teaching people about railroad track and crossing safety to prevent injuries and fatalities.” The BeRailSafe program provides free rail safety training to police, fire and 911 operators in all 100 counties of North Carolina. Staff with the outreach program also promote rail safety statewide at festivals and events. To prevent tragedies on railroad tracks and at crossings, BeRailSafe reminds people to follow these safety tips: |
- All railroad tracks are private property, and trespassers can be arrested or fined, according to North Carolina General Statute.
- Never walk or ride a bike on or near the railroad tracks. Tracks are not a shortcut.
- The only safe, and legal, place to cross railroad tracks is at a public crossing designated with either a rail crossing sign, flashing red lights or a gate.
- It takes a train traveling at 55 mph more than a mile to stop – that’s more than 18 football fields.
- Never drive around lowered gates. It’s illegal and deadly.
- Never stop a car on the railroad tracks.
- If you stop to wait for a train at a traffic signal, always stop safely behind the white line.
- If your vehicle gets stuck on the tracks, get out and call the number on the blue and white sign posted on the crossing gate.
For more safety tips or to request a BeRailSafe presentation, visit this BeRailSafe.org and follow NC By Train on social media at Twitter/X and Instagram @NC_By_Train and NC By Train on Facebook and LinkedIn.
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Federal Grant Awarded for Upgrades to Short Line Railroad Infrastructure in North Carolina
| RALEIGH – A federal grant award was announced this week that will improve track infrastructure and freight capacity for short line railroad operations in North Carolina. The $18 million in federal funding from the Federal Rail Administration’s (FRA) Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program was awarded to the Aberdeen Carolina and Western Railway (ACWR). It will be supplemented with $9.8 million from the N.C. Department of Transportation and $9.8 million from the ACWR. “It’s great to see the holistic federal investment in North Carolina’s railroad network,” said state Transportation Secretary Joey Hopkins. “Making sure we have the rail infrastructure necessary to support increased freight and passenger operations is a top priority for the department. We’re thrilled to be a partner in the ACWR’s project.” The $37.8 million project will install almost 30 miles of Continuous Welded Rail track to replace jointed rail laid in the early to mid-1900s. This will improve the ACWR’s freight capacity in the Charlotte region. “We are excited for what this opportunity brings to our rail customers and the communities we serve,” said Anthony Menzies, chief executive officer for the Aberdeen Carolina & Western Railway. “Projects like this position us to attract new industries along our rail line, and the support of elected leaders and the partnerships we have with NCDOT and FRA are critical to these efforts.” Since acquiring the 104-mile Piedmont corridor from Norfolk Southern in 2022, the Aberdeen Carolina & Western Railway has been awarded multiple infrastructure grants to accommodate growing freight traffic. NCDOT’s investment is through the Rail Division’s Freight Rail and Rail Crossing Safety Improvement program that was established in 2013 to support the vitality and safety of North Carolina’s rail network. The ACWR is a regional railroad that operates between Charlotte and Aberdeen, N.C. It offers a logistical advantage in the distribution of freight with connections to two Class I railroads, CSX and Norfolk Southern. ACWR transports freight such as chicken feed, fuels, steel, lumber, aggregate, plastics, and other commodities, by rail to and from industrial facilities. Follow us on social media at Twitter/X and Instagram @NC_By_Train and NC By Train on Facebook and LinkedIn. Learn more about the ACWR at ACWR.com and follow them on Facebook and LinkedIn. Image Credit: Chris Auman:caumanpics@gmail.com |
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NCDOT Awards Grants to Improve Short Line Railroads
| RALEIGH – 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. “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. As part of the freight 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. Those projects and the state grant funds are: |
- Aberdeen Carolina and Western Railway: $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).
- Alexander Railroad Company: $338,320 for track upgrades on the mainline rail corridor (Alexander County).
- RJ Corman Railroad Company: $666,764 for corridor improvements to the Conway and Mullins branches (Columbus County).
The Freight Rail and Rail Crossing Safety Improvement Program was established in 2013 by the N.C. General Assembly.
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NCDOT Report Shows Rail’s Importance to Economy
NC By Train’s Piedmont train and a Norfolk Southern freight train on the tracks in Salisbury N.C.
| RALEIGH – North Carolina’s rail system contributes over $20 billion into the state’s economy and supports 88,000 jobs, according to a report released today by the N.C. Department of Transportation’s Rail Division. The Economic Contribution of Rail in North Carolina report, which was produced in partnership with the Institute for Transportation Research and Education (ITRE) at N.C. State University, is the first of its kind and shows that North Carolina’s rail system is important to the state’s future.“This research report demonstrates the importance of the rail network to our state’s economy, moving people and goods safely and efficiently,” said Jason Orthner, NCDOT’s Rail Division director. The report highlights specific annual impacts and contributions from rail sectors including freight, passenger and rail tourism. North Carolina is home to two Class 1 railroads, Norfolk Southern and CSX, as well as 24 short line railroads that provide small and rural communities with critical opportunities to access the state’s major freight railroad network. In 2019, freight railroads carried an average of 3,667 tons of freight per train, leveraging the environmentally sustainable benefit of shipping goods and raw materials by rail and reducing the impact on the state’s highway infrastructure. NCDOT’s Rail Division supports 3,600 rail corridor miles across the state, including the 317-mile North Carolina Railroad Company corridor that hosts freight service and the state’s intercity passenger rail service, NC By Train. The extensive railroad network reaches 86 of the state’s 100 counties, making it vital to the state’s efforts to better connect rural and urban communities. Access to the NC By Train intercity passenger rail system and other Amtrak routes provide expanded mobility options and enhanced community livability for cities and towns at or near the state’s 16 train stations. NC By Train experienced record-breaking ridership for the second year in a row in 2023. More than 640,000 passengers rode the train between North Carolina and the Northeast last year. Like freight, passenger rail services help the state reduce congestion on roads, which extends the life of the highway system and cuts down on harmful emissions from automobiles. Rail tourism activities across the state also support approximately 410,000 visitors annually in North Carolina. The research analyzed 2019 economic data and 2022 ridership data to reflect the most recent complete data and economic impacts while avoiding disruptions caused by the pandemic. Follow us on social media at Twitter/X @NC_By_Train and NC By Train on Facebook and LinkedIn. |
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