The
Freight Rail and Rail Crossing Safety Improvement Program, established in 2013 under
N.C. GS 124-5.1, is a seven-part umbrella program that supports the distinct needs of North Carolina’s freight rail network.
Each part of the program addresses infrastructure (railroad bed, crossties, switches, railroad crossing, etc.) and customer-based needs through grants and strategic programs that are used to support the rail network.
Grant Programs
Short Line Infrastructure Assistance - provides funding to short line railroads and other eligible grant recipients for the enhancement of rail service, and access to ports and military installations.
Freight Rail Diversion - provides funding for rail projects that primarily divert transport services from truck to rail.
Rail Industrial Access - is an economic development program that provides funding to new or existing industries seeking to transport products via railroad.
Strategic Programs
Crossing Surfaces - provides surface project improvements to at-grade roadway/rail crossings where motor vehicles travel over railroad tracks.
Consolidations & Closures - provides improvements to at-grade roadway/rail crossings and includes projects that close and/or consolidate crossings.
Signals & Safety - provides improvements to at-grade roadway/rail crossing that install or enhance signals, gates, signage, and other safety improvements.
- Rail Corridor Protection & Reactivation - seeks to preserve the safety and integrity of state-owned rail corridor right of ways.