CSX earlier this month celebrated the reopening of the Blue Ridge Subdivision, nearly a year to the day after Hurricane Helene destroyed large portions of the freight line.
CSX and its partners restored the key 60-mile corridor damaged by Hurricane Helene within the Blue Ridge Subdivision that carries more than 14 million tons of freight each year and connects Appalachian communities and businesses to the nation’s broader freight network.
The Blue Ridge Subdivision is one of four North-South routes in the CSX network, serving not only local customers but also acting as a critical throughway for the entire system. Its restoration strengthens CSX’s network resiliency, providing added capacity and flexibility to keep freight moving efficiently across the country.
Upgrades to the Subdivision include the rebuilt 530‑foot Poplar Bridge with a modern ballast‑deck design for better clearance and mitigating future potential weather impacts. Four out of the six original 95-foot spans were salvaged and reused, reflecting CSX’s commitment to sustainability.
CSX also rebuilt the Devil’s Creek bridge which crosses the state line between North Carolina and Tennessee, reinforced key structures such as retaining walls, and upgraded drainage systems throughout the entire Nolichucky Gorge and in several locations outside of the Gorge.
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