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The S-Line Raleigh to Richmond, or R2R, project involves the development, implementation, and operation of passenger rail service on the Southeast Corridor.
This rail service will provide future high-performance passenger rail services connecting communities from Raleigh to Richmond, Va. Since its formation, the Federal Railroad Administration has recognized the importance of high-performance rail in the U.S. In 1992, the Southeast Corridor were the first routes connecting Charlotte, Raleigh, Richmond and Washington, D.C.
The project is being done in partnership between the N.C. Department of Transportation and the Virginia Rail Passenger Authority.
What is the S-Line?
The S-Line is a freight rail corridor, owned by CSX, that connects Richmond to Tampa, Fla.
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Frequently Asked Questions
The S-Line will relieve congestion on existing freight rail corridors that carry heavy freight traffic. It will also extend North Carolina’s passenger rail system and enable North Carolina and Virginia to schedule more frequent train trips, reduce travel time for passengers and improve the service’s reliability.
Adding new tracks and upgrading existing infrastructure will support more trains and more frequent trips. It also will be operated with new train equipment that is modern, fast and more efficient than the existing passenger rail service.
More benefits will include the addition of:
- Numerous bridges or overpasses to improve safety by keeping vehicles and trains from crossing paths, decreasing traffic congestion and the chance of collisions.
- Bicycle and pedestrian paths, and other travel options in S-Line communities, thanks to greater coordination between NCDOT and its partners.
- More opportunities for economic growth along the S-Line corridor by providing jobs and business growth along with other benefits.
2017: Received Raleigh to Richmond Tier II Federal Record of Decision.
2020: Secured a $48 million Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements federal grant to purchase the S-Line corridor from Raleigh to Ridgeway, N.C.
2020: Virginia purchased 75 miles of S-Line property between Petersburg and Ridgeway, N.C.
2021: Communities along the corridor received a $900,000 grant from the Federal Transit Authority for Transit Oriented Development planning.
2022: Secured a $58 million Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements federal grant to conduct survey work and preliminary engineering.
2022: Communities along the corridor received a $3.4 million grant from the Federal Transit Authority to study Mobility Hub opportunities along the S-Line rail corridor.
2023: NCDOT was awarded a $1.09 billion Federal-State Partnership grant from the Federal Railroad Administration for final design, right-of-way acquisition, and construction of the 18-mile Raleigh–Wake Forest section.
2024: Construction contracts were issued for the first S-Line R2R grade separation projects at Durant Road and New Hope Church Road in Raleigh.
The S-Line R2R project is designed to support trains running up to 110 mph between Raleigh and Petersburg, Va. Current passenger rail speeds are between 60-79 mph.
Raleigh Union Station was designed with future S-Line service in mind. As part of the funded Raleigh to Wake Forest segment, a second platform will be built along the S-Line, extending from the Hillsborough Street bridge southward to the station. This construction requires:
- Removing the at-grade railroad crossings at Jones Street and Hargett Street to increase safety and reduce potential conflicts with the new tracks, platform and concourse.
- Reconstructing the Morgan Street bridge in its current location.
- Coordinating with the city of Raleigh, nearby stakeholders and property owners to minimize disruptions.
The Raleigh to Wake Forest segment is the first phase of the larger project that involves improving 162 miles of track and 82 miles of road between Raleigh and Richmond. This initial 18-mile segment includes over half a dozen grade separation projects.
NCDOT is finalizing the project’s engineering plans. Teams of engineers, planners, biologists, and geologists are evaluating the potential impacts and developing detailed construction plans. During this phase, residents may notice:
- Workers surveying the area.
- Crews drilling for soil samples.
- Staff taking photographs or marking utility locations.
Geotechnical boring is a way to examine the ground beneath the project site. It evaluates soil, rock, groundwater and other conditions to help engineers design stable track beds, bridges and other structures.
Geotechnical boring is also essential for the Raleigh to Wake Forest segment to plan for new railroad track and road construction.
Public hearing maps and the required environmental document list all the proposed road closures and detours planned for the project. During construction, detours will be carefully planned to minimize disruption and maintain access for property owners.
The project team will provide timely updates via NCDOT’s website, social media and direct community notifications (mailings, newsletters). Advanced signage will also help keep residents and businesses informed about alternate routes. Updates will be communicated as available closer to the construction phase.
Information on property impacts is shown on the
2017 public hearing maps and environmental documentation, which outline the project’s location, proposed improvements and potential impact limits.
These designs may change as plans develop, and NCDOT aims to minimize impacts wherever possible.
During the final design phase, NCDOT will continue to update the public and provide details. Once designs are complete, NCDOT’s Right of Way office will contact any property owners who may be affected.
Environmental Documentation
North Carolina and Virginia have been preparing and completing National Environmental Policy Act documentation for the S-Line corridor. These required documents were completed for the Raleigh to Richmond segment of the Southeast Corridor under the name of
Southeast High-Speed Rail Project.
These include: