NCDOT completes track restoration work between Greensboro and High Point

The N.C. Department of Transportation, North Carolina Railroad Company and Norfolk Southern have completed the restoration of a nine-mile section of track between Greensboro and High Point. The new stretch of double track will help alleviate bottleneck delays, improve freight rail capacity and passenger train reliability. It will also provide future rail capacity for the federally-designated Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor as well as NS's Crescent Corridor.  

"Through
partnerships like this we continue to modernize our railroads and in turn
improve freight and passenger rail efficiency through North Carolina," said
State Transportation Secretary Gene Conti. "The governor’s Logistics Task Force
will continue to foster partnerships that will keep our state’s transportation
systems moving forward."

NCDOT invested $23 million and NCRR
provided $4 million to restore a second main track between Greensboro and High
Point that had previously been pulled up in the 1970’s.

"The NCRR
is the state’s original engine for economic development and affects 24 percent
of North Carolina’s economy," said John Atkins, NCRR chairman of the board
of directors. "The railroad is a key part of the Crescent Corridor, and it
creates thousands of jobs by providing transportation for key industries
throughout the state. NCRR, NS and NCDOT have a unique partnership that
improves railroads for both freight and passenger service statewide."

NCDOT’s
Rail Division designed preliminary plans for the project with NS managing
project construction.

"This is an important milestone in
the progress of Norfolk Southern’s Crescent Corridor project. Double-tracking
this busy section of track will enable us to move more freight faster, offer
more competitive service, and help relieve highway congestion on this critical
corridor," said Wick Moorman, Norfolk Southern CEO.

The project was completed in three
phases, each three miles. The entire project took two and half years to
complete.

Over the
past 15 years, NCDOT has invested about $300 million in the state’s intercity
passenger rail service including modernizing train stations, track work
improvements and corridor preservation as well as reduced train travel time
between Raleigh and Charlotte by one hour.

Once
completed, the Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor will provide business and
leisure travelers with a competitive alternative to air and auto for trips
between 100-500 miles.