RALEIGH — After just seven years, North Carolina’s largest program of improvements to the state’s rail infrastructure is complete. The
Piedmont Improvement Program (PIP) is improving safety, efficiency and reliability for freight and passenger rail service between Charlotte and Raleigh.
Over the course of the project, more than 40 comprehensive rail projects were completed. These included:
- Constructing 13 new bridges over or under highways to prevent train/vehicle collisions;
- Laying 27 miles of double track between Greensboro and Charlotte, making the route between both cities now double track;
- Closing nearly 40 street-level roadway crossings to improve safety;
- Additional locomotives and railcars for the
Piedmont train service; and
- Improvements to four train stations between Cary and Kannapolis.
“The Piedmont Improvement Program has put our state on the right path for the future by not only improving connectivity for passenger customers, but also serving as a catalyst for economic improvement through freight rail service, locally and nationally,” said NCDOT Chief Deputy Secretary David Howard. “Additionally, modernization of the corridor allows for increased freight service along the line to better accommodate growing freight traffic while lightening the load on our state’s highways.”
Understanding the significance of railroads to North Carolina’s infrastructure and economy, the N.C. Department of Transportation embarked upon a series of railroad and highway construction projects and enhancements in 2010.
The program also allows for the start of two new daily round trips on the
Piedmont passenger line, meaning passengers will ultimately be able to travel on five trains each way between Raleigh and Charlotte. The first new round trip
Piedmont route is targeted to begin in Spring 2018.
For a full project list and video detailing the benefits of PIP, visit NCDOT's website.
The Federal Railroad Administration awarded the state a $520 million grant through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for the work.
NCDOT thanks the following partners for their assistance in making the program a success:
- North Carolina General Assembly
- Federal Railroad Administration
- Municipalities: Burlington, Cary, Charlotte, China Grove, Durham, Greensboro, Harrisburg, High Point, Landis, Morrisville, Raleigh, Salisbury
- North Carolina Railroad Company
- Norfolk Southern Railway
- CSX Transportation
- Amtrak
- North Carolina Association of General Contractors
- North Carolina Chapter of the American Council of Engineering Companies