News Releases and Announcements

Bridge over the Neuse River
existing truss spans	crack in east abutment
Bridge over Hwy 54

The Board of Directors of the North Carolina Railroad Company (NCRR) has approved commencement of the design of replacement railroad bridges for the Neuse River Bridge near Kinston and the Highway 54 Bridge in Research Triangle Park and related track improvements. The Board has also approved a $2.7 million agreement with the North Carolina Department of Transportation Rail Division and Norfolk Southern Railway Company to upgrade the NCRR corridor between Selma and Raleigh to allow faster passenger travel. The three projects represent significant transportation improvements for the people of North Carolina and will improve safety.

"We have a 100-year old bridge in the Kinston area that desperately needs replacing," says Sam Hunt, Chairman of NCRR. "It has a cracked foundation that we believe was damaged by Hurricane Floyd. Trains slow to 10 mph to cross it and it cannot carry the heavier rail cars developed in the last century. If we don't make repairs now, Norfolk Southern could decide not to use the NCRR line and its key access to the state port at Morehead City."

The Highway 54 Bridge in Research Triangle Park will replace an existing single-track, substandard clearance railway bridge with a double track bridge and adjacent siding to allow for both freight and future local transit use. The improvement is crucial to alleviate a frustrating bottleneck and allow Highway 54 to be expanded to five lanes. Unless this change is made, the road will remain an obstacle to growth and development in RTP. A new bridge will eliminate the substandard clearance, allowing safer, easier access to Miami Blvd.

The Raleigh to Selma upgrade will save up to 10 minutes of travel time by increasing the top train speed to 59 mph. Amtrak operates four daily passenger trains on the Selma line. Both freight and passenger trains use this portion of the corridor. NCRR, Norfolk Southern and NCDOT are working together to bring these improvements about in the most cost efficient manner.

The HNTB Engineering firm will design the bridges, at a total cost of approximately $600,000, paid for by the NCRR.
"We appreciate the support shown by the General Assembly to improve the state's railroad and ask for their support for capital improvement funding," Hunt said. "NCRR will be committing to more projects like this that will move people and freight faster and better."

The North Carolina Railroad Company manages the 317-mile rail corridor that runs from Morehead City to Charlotte and serves as the backbone of the state's rail system. The corridor serves both passenger and freight transportation needs through operating agreements while control of the right-of-way remains under the auspices of the North Carolina Railroad. Funds for the completion of these projects will be generated by revenue the company generates through usage payments by Norfolk Southern and some matching funds from state and federal sources.