Open house for Kinston, N.C., railroad improvement

For two hours Sept. 10, city and railroad officials made themselves available to answer questions regarding a nine-month train track realignment between Mitchell and North Independence streets as they host an open house in downtown Kinston, N.C., local newspapers report.

Officials say the
Mitchell-North Independence streets project, slated to begin this month, will
allow trains to move faster and – thanks to the recent removal of the Blount
Street freight depot – permit larger rail cars to pass through.

Also under way are plans
for transload track to serve the Global TransPark, creating a siding and truck/rail-loading
ramp for Spirit AeroSystems and other future users, officials said.

"The North Carolina
Railroad has been a great citizen in terms of keeping the residents of our
community informed of its needs," Pride of Kinston Director Adrian King said. "The
(first objective) is to demonstrate by showing people and (secondly) explain
all the details, such as moving the big pieces of cargo through town."

The event will start with
comments from Mayor O.A. "Buddy" Ritch and several business and civic leaders.
The rest of the open house will be informal, with representatives from the
NCRR, Pride of Kinston and Norfolk Southern available to answer questions.