Federal government commits funding for passenger rail projects in North Carolina

The federal government is committing 550 million dollars to improve tracks for planned Amtrak service between Raleigh, North Carolina, and Richmond, Virginia, WLOS reported. Officials state that the infrastructure project could shorten rail travel times between the two cities by up to 90 minutes while allowing more trains to operate on the route. [1][3]

WLOS also reported that an additional 300 million dollars in federal funding will support rail safety upgrades along the corridor between Raleigh and Charlotte. The safety work includes closing nine railway crossings and constructing five bridges or underpasses. [1][3]

The national passenger rail corporation Amtrak operates high-speed, state-supported short-distance, and long-distance routes across the country. Local leaders in western North Carolina hope the expansion efforts could eventually help extend passenger train services into mountain towns to support regional tourism and outdoor recreation, according to WLOS. [1][4]