North Carolina DOT's Rail Division boosts safety at six public crossings

The North Carolina Department of Transportation’s Rail Division has completed safety improvements at six grade crossings in four counties.

In Pitt County, the division installed crossing signals and gates where Boyd Street and Liberty Street intersect CSX Transportation tracks in Winterville. Two freight trains travel through the crossings each day at a maximum speed of 25 mph.

In McDowell County, the division installed signals and gates where Moody Town Road and Goode Road intersect CSX tracks near Marion. Seven freight trains travel through the Moody Town Road crossing each day at a maximum speed of 45 mph, while 12 freight trains travel through the Goode Road intersection daily at 40 mph.

In Moore County, the division installed signals and gates at the intersection of Cedar Creek Road and Aberdeen Carolina & Western Railway tracks near Biscoe. Two freight trains travel through the crossing each day at 25 mph.

And in Onslow County, the division installed signals and gates at the intersection of Piney Green Road and Camp LeJeune Railroad tracks in Jacksonville. Two freight trains travel through the crossing each day at 25 mph.

Project costs totaling $1.3 million were covered by a combination of state and federal funds. The projects are part of a statewide program aimed at enhancing highway safety by adding or improving signals and gates at public crossings. Automatic warning devices are now in place at more than 2,600 of the North Carolina's 3,800 public crossings.