The North Carolina Department of Transportation’s Rail Division is accepting comments through Jan. 20 on the proposed comprehensive state rail plan, which officials say “establishes the vision for rail transportation across the state for the next 30 years.”
The proposed plan was created to help identify needs and guide public investments in the state’s freight and passenger rail network. To submit comments, visit NCDOT’s public input website.
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“Updating this report helps us strategically plan for the future of North Carolina’s passenger and freight rail systems,” NCDOT Rail Division Director Jason Orthner said in a release. “Public feedback is essential to ensure we’re supporting a rail network that serves and benefits all North Carolinians.”
Officials note that a key initiative is to continue developing and improving the Southeast Corridor, a freight and passenger rail network connecting the District of Columbia, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida. Identified as a priority for high-performance passenger rail, plans are to connect the Southeast Corridor with the existing high-speed rail corridor from Washington D.C. to Boston, known as the Northeast Corridor, documents state.
Other proposed initiatives include continued grade separation and crossing improvement projects to increase safety, increased access to ports and inland freight facilities, and improving passenger and freight facilities statewide to support increased railroad activity in the state.
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