The North Carolina Department of Transportation has awarded roughly $12 million in grant funds to North Carolina short line railroads.
The matching grants come from the department’s Freight Rail and Rail Crossing Safety Improvement Program. Officials say the program supports rail infrastructure health, safety, and performance throughout the state, enabling NCDOT to partner with rail companies on improvement projects to move freight effectively.
Officials said that this partnership helps railroads meet customer needs cost-effectively while preparing them for growing service demands and partnerships with new businesses and industries.
The North Carolina General Assembly established the Freight Rail and Rail Crossing Safety Improvement Program in 2013.
The awarded grants are matched with railroad investments to contribute approximately $24 million in rail infrastructure improvements statewide. Together, these projects will support improvements to 52 railroad bridges and nearly 123 miles of railroad track in North Carolina.
