April 25, 2002
CONTACT: Don Carnell, Interim General Manager, TTA
Scott Saylor, President, NCRR

The North Carolina Railroad Company (NCRR) and the Triangle Transit Authority (TTA) are pleased to announce today that their respective Boards have reached a definitive agreement on the TTA use of the NCRR right-of-way for public transit purposes. This agreement will allow for the design, construction, operation and maintenance of the TTA Phase I Regional Rail Project on the NCRR right-of-way from downtown Raleigh to the City of Durham.

The Right of Way Usage Agreement grants TTA a right to use 27 miles of the NCRR corridor for its Phase I Regional Rail Project anticipated to commence service in December 2007 for an initial period of fifty (50) years.
During a Closed Session at the TTA monthly meeting April 24, 2002 the TTA Board of Trustees approved the final details of the Usage Agreement and sent it on to the NCRR Board. The TTA Board will ratify the Agreement at their next regularly scheduled meeting. The NCRR Board, at a meeting April 25, 2002, voted to approve the Agreement.

William V. “Bill” Bell, Chairman of the TTA Board of Trustees, stated “This is a very positive achievement and moving to fruition a regional rail system for the Triangle. Much remains to be done, but the partnership created by this Agreement represents a major milestone.”