NC Board of Transportation adopts state rail plan

Written by Jenifer Nunez, assistant editor
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NCDOT

The North Carolina Board of Transportation adopted the 2015 Comprehensive State Rail Plan at its meeting on August 5, 2015. The Rail Plan was created to identify near- and long-term freight, passenger and safety projects, in addition to other rail initiatives that will help better serve the state's communities, businesses and industries.

 

The state says these projects will enhance the value and effectiveness of the state’s freight and passenger rail systems, which contribute approximately $1.88 billion in direct economic impacts to the North Carolina economy each year. 

The projects in the Rail Plan will support the delivery of Gov. Pat McCrory’s 25-Year Vision for North Carolina, in addition to providing a framework for prioritizing rail projects statewide based on need.

Rail-related goals in the Governor’s 25-Year Vision that are incorporated in the State Rail Plan include improvement of rail connections between military bases and ports, service to intermodal facilities to support freight shipping, improved train service to the ports at Wilmington and Morehead City and rail access to the Global TransPark and the state’s inland ports and intermodal facilities. The Rail Plan also includes expansion of transit options, including access to passenger rail service in all regions of the state.

“As our state continues to grow, it is essential to our economy to ensure that our transportation system provides efficient alternatives to move people and goods and connects North Carolina communities, businesses and industries with domestic and international markets,” said North Carolina Transportation Secretary Nick Tennyson. “Transportation continues to change and the Rail Plan is one tool that helps us transition from where we are to where we need to be.”

The North Carolina Comprehensive Rail Plan is available here.

 

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