NCDOT issues state rail plan executive summary

Written by Mischa Wanek-Libman, editor
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In anticipation of the January 2015 release of the Draft North Carolina Comprehensive State Rail Plan, the N.C. Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has issued the Plan's Executive Summary.

 

The Plan is the passenger and freight rail implementation portion of the governor’s 25-Year Vision Plan and feeds directly into the Draft State Transportation Improvement Plan, which was released on Dec. 4.

NCDOT said the release of the Executive Summary will give the public an opportunity to preview:
· The vision for the state’s rail system and supporting goals and policies to improve the rail network;
· The programs managed by NCDOT and how they work with other government and private sector programs to deliver a comprehensive set of rail services;
· An inventory of the state’s rail system and an identification of trends, markets, and needs;
· The prioritization of passenger and freight rail corridors; and
· Future improvements and investments and an assessment of funding options.

Freight and passenger rail contribute approximately $1.84 billion to the state’s economy, annually.

Class 1 project needs identified in the Executive Summary include a new Norfolk Southern Thoroughbred Bulk Terminal Facility in Charlotte; a 10,000-foot siding extension for CSX at Stouts in Union County and upgrading the rail line along US 52 to allow for freight movement.

Shortline project needs identified in the Executive Summary include bridge, rail, tie and surfacing, rail yard and transload facilities, as well as the relocation of the Aberdeen Carolina & Western Railway in Mecklenburg County; reactivating the rail line between Andrews and Murphy in Cherokee County and two grade separations at the Port of Wilmington.

On the passenger side of the state’s rail plan, the executive summary identified major projects such as the full implementation of the Southeast Corridor; adding new connecting rail service between Salisbury and Asheville and extending southeastern passenger service between Raleigh to Wilmington.

The public draft of the Comprehensive State Rail Plan will be released in late January 2015. Once the draft Plan is released, a 30-day public comment period will follow. Once the public comment period ends, NCDOT will review all comments, address them accordingly and make revisions to the Plan. The final approval of the Plan is scheduled for June 2015.

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