Railroad Improvement Projects Information

Charlotte Railroad Improvement and Safety Program (CRISP)

The Charlotte Railroad Improvement and Safety Program (CRISP) is a partnership among freight and transit providers and state and local agencies that are involved with freight and passenger rail transportation planning and implementation. Some of the objectives of CRISP include modernizing existing track infrastructure, improving safety and efficiency, and improving the environment and local quality of life. The link below provides additional information regarding CRISP and more details about specific projects.

CRISP

 

The NC Department of Transportation Rail Division currently has several projects underway in the Charlotte area.  The following briefly describes each project and contains information on how to obtain more details. 

Projects:

  • Proposed Second Track Installation & Realignment of Tracks at Selected Curves (P-3414N) NC 49 to Orr Road
    A 12.2-mile section of second main track will be replaced on the old roadbed primarily on the west side of the existing track from south of Concord to Charlotte. New crossovers will be constructed and select curves will be realigned for improved passenger train speeds. The new double track section will greatly improve rail corridor capacity, resulting in improved passenger train schedule reliability and freight traffic flow. Planning and environmental work is underway; a construction date has yet to be determined.

    For more information, please contact Marc Hamel at (919) 733-7245 or email at: mhamel@ncdot.gov.

     

  • Norfolk Southern Mainline Improvements (P-3800)
    The NCDOT Rail Division proposes to realign the Norfolk Southern (NS) rail line and implement track improvements necessary to reduce congestion, improve reliability and return passenger rail service to center city Charlotte.  This project will also assist in introducing high speed passenger rail service to Charlotte. The proposed project will extend along the NS railroad from the Charlotte Junction (near Morris Field Drive to Orr Road.  The project proposes to close three existing at-grade roadway/railroad crossings and upgrade one existing roadway/railroad crossing.  (The term “grade-separation” means to elevate on roadway/railroad over the other with a bridge.)  Other roadway/railroad crossings will also be studied for closure or safety improvements.  This project will also improve rail operations, increase freight and passenger rail efficiency, and eliminate the inherent safety concerns associated with at-grade roadway/railroad crossings. 

     

  • CSX/Norfolk Southern Mainline Grade Separation (P-5002)
    The NCDOT Rail Division proposes to grade separate the existing at-grade crossing of the CSX rail line and Norfolk Southern (NS) mainline where they cross in Charlotte’s Fourth Ward neighborhood (adjacent to the ADM facility).  The proposed project will place the CSX mainline in 3,400 foot long trough that will run below the existing grade of the NS tracks.  This project will eliminate five existing at-grade roadway/railroad crossings and will grade separate one diamond railroad/railroad crossing.  This separation will enhance safety, reduce noise, emissions and energy use, while improving rail operations and increasing efficiency for freight and passenger rail. 

    For more information about both CRISP projects, contact Marc Hamel at (919) 733-7245 or mhamel@ncdot.gov.

     

  • Piedmont & Northern Railroad Reactivation & Cedar Yards Improvements
    The NCDOT Rail Division proposes to reactivate freight rail service on the existing Piedmont & Northern (P&N) Railroad between Mt. Holly and Gastonia in Gaston County.  As a part of this project, there are potential plans to made improvements to the Cedar Yard facility (near Bank of America Stadium) facility in Charlotte in anticipation that passenger rail service may be reactivated.  At present, there are no plans to reactivate freight or passenger service on the P&N Railroad in Charlotte. 

    For more information, contact Mark Reep of Ko & Associates at mreep@koassociates.com