FRA awards $550M for Raleigh-Richmond passenger rail

The Federal Railroad Administration has obligated $550 million for North Carolina’s S-Line passenger rail project, connecting Raleigh and Richmond, Virginia; the funds are the first portion of a roughly $1.09 billion grant awarded earlier. The project will adapt and restore freight-rail infrastructure for passenger service, with portions of the route designed for speeds up to 110 mph, and could cut travel time by as much as 90 minutes while enabling more frequent and reliable trips. The work also includes safety and infrastructure improvements, including eliminating grade crossings, and is intended to ease congestion on freight corridors. North Carolina and Virginia, along with Amtrak and state transportation agencies, are partners in advancing the corridor.