Infrastructure investments along a portion of the North Carolina Railroad line in High Point are complete. In January 2018, The North Carolina Railroad Company (NCRR) and the City of High Point partnered on improvements to the railroad corridor and drainage in downtown High Point totaling $5.1 million. The North Carolina Railroad funded $3.6 million of the total cost. The rail corridor improvements concluded in July 2018.
During the 1930s, the railroad tracks in downtown High Point were lowered to eliminate at-grade crossings and to increase efficiencies on both the roadways and the railroad. Over time, the slopes along the railroad have eroded due to rainfall and storm drainage. The project includes slope and track bed improvements to address drainage and appearance issues.
“More than 40 Norfolk Southern freight trains and Amtrak trains run through High Point each day, moving North Carolina’s economy via the North Carolina Railroad,” says Saylor. “We are committed to working with community, state and business partners as we plan for long-term freight and passenger growth, and making investments to ensure our rail infrastructure will continue to meet the needs of business and industry and result in job growth for North Carolina.”
“The City of High Point enjoys a good working relationship with the North Carolina Railroad,” says Keith Pugh, Engineering Services Director for the City of High Point. “We are excited to collaborate on this project which will benefit both our City and NCRR. We look forward to exploring additional opportunities where we can work together to improve the community we serve.”
More than 11 million tons of freight traffic is carried on the 317-mile North Carolina Railroad annually. In order to ensure the railroad is at peak condition to meet current and future rail capacity needs, the Company continues its long standing infrastructure investments. By the close of 2019, we will have made $114 million in improvements and upgrades on the railroad line.
