North Carolina awards short line railroads $1.8M for improvement projects

The North Carolina Department of Transportation’s (NCDOT) Rail Division recently awarded three short line railroads $1.8 million in 50-50 matching Freight Rail and Rail Crossing Safety Improvement Program grants.

The grants match equal investments from railroad companies.

Collectively, the projects will improve three railroad bridges and 18 miles of railroad track.

“We value our continued partnership with the short line railroads of North Carolina,” Jason Orthner, NCDOT rail director, said. “These projects improve the safe and efficient transit of freight, while safeguarding the viability of our statewide freight rail network.”

Awardees are:

The Aberdeen Carolina and Western Railway was awarded $762,148 for track and bridge upgrades in Mecklenburg, Montgomery, Moore and Stanly counties. Funding also will be used for the construction of rail sidings and transloading infrastructure along the Piedmont and Sandhills divisions.

RJ Corman Railroad Co. was awarded $666,764 for corridor improvements to the Conway and Mullins branches in Columbus County.

Alexander Railroad Co. was awarded $338,320 for track upgrades on the mainline rail corridor in Alexander County.

In December 2023, NCDOT awarded 12 short line railroads $10.2 million in Freight Rail & Rail Crossing Safety Improvement grants.

NCDOT’s Rail Division is involved a public-private partnership with railroad companies to support freight rail infrastructure safety and performance.

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