NCDOT Pushes Forward with High-Speed Rail Project

North Carolina continues to invest in its high-speed rail project, ensuring progress despite temporary federal funding uncertainties impacting the Raleigh-to-Richmond corridor development. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Julie White, Deputy Secretary of NCDOT, directly addressed concerns during a meeting with consultants and city officials. She confidently stated that the high-speed rail project remains on schedule, despite the Trump administration’s pause on a $1.1 billion grant initially promised under Biden.

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This substantial grant, announced in December 2023, aims to upgrade outdated freight tracks with new infrastructure, including advanced signals and bridges. These improvements form the foundation for a future high-speed rail corridor connecting Raleigh Union Station and Wake Forest.

Governor Josh Stein and Secretary Joey Hopkins met with U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy in February. Although Duffy could not confirm immediate support, he emphasized that grant reviews are standard when administrations change.

Jason Orthner, head of the Rail Division, confirmed that the paperwork continues without disruption. He reassured stakeholders that NCDOT remains focused on finalizing agreements and submitting all required forms.

Federal Backing Drives High-Speed Rail Development

White highlighted strong bipartisan support, noting previous victories such as the $47.5 million awarded in 2020 and another $57.9 million in 2022. These grants fueled early engineering work and land acquisitions vital for the high-speed rail infrastructure.

Towns along the proposed corridor, including Franklinton, Henderson, and Youngsville, are enthusiastically preparing for renewed passenger service. Apex and Sanford have identified central downtown locations for their future mobility hubs.

David Montgomery, senior planner for Sanford, emphasized local optimism. For the first time in five decades, his town might see Amtrak trains making regular stops.

New Mobility Hubs Strengthen the High-Speed Rail Corridor

Youngsville plans to lower the tracks below street level to create safer crossings and modernize town infrastructure. In Wake Forest, a $13.2 million federal grant will help build a new station, reviving a historic depot site.

With successful high-speed rail development, Wake Forest will serve as the eastern terminus of Amtrak’s Piedmont route. Mayor Vivian Jones expressed unwavering confidence, trusting that vetted and valuable projects will move forward even amid political changes.

Despite hurdles with high-speed rail funding, NCDOT’s persistent efforts demonstrate the state’s long-term vision for building a faster, more connected transportation future.

Source: www.newsobserver.com

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