NS Line Newport through Asheville Expected to Reopen March 31st
Written by Jennifer McLawhorn, Managing Editor
Courtesy of Norfolk Southern
ASHEVILLE, N.C. - The Norfolk Southern rail line that runs from Newport to Asheville in North Carolina is expected to reopen on March 31st.
On March 7th, RT&S reported that an historic rail line in North Carolina may be rebuilt after Hurricane Helene passed through last fall. That report stated, “While there is no exact timeline for the repairs, Norfolk Southern has reportedly told the North Carolina Department of Transportation the line between Asheville and Old Fort will be rebuilt.”
According to Blue Ridge Public Radio, the segments from Morristown to Newport and from Old Fort to Salisbury have been restored. Now, the impacted line from Newport, Tennessee through Asheville, North Carolina will reopen ahead of schedule. Crews are working to install bridge spans for a replacement bridge in Newport, according a report in WBIR. In that report, Norfolk Southern VP Engineering Ed Boyle stated that “There is no doubt the important role this line plays in supporting the people and businesses that call Western North Carolina home. . . We know how many community members are waiting for the line to reopen, and our teams have been working tirelessly since Sept. 27 to restore the service needed to help rebuild the local economy.” Reportedly, the segment between Gravestone and Old Fort is still under assessment.
