North Carolina DOT distributes $3.7 million for rail improvements

The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) announced on Friday that it would allocate $3.7 million to fund 15 projects as part of the Freight Rail and Rail Crossing Safety Improvement (FRRCSI) program for fiscal-year 2015 .

NCDOT will use dividends distributed by the North Carolina Railroad Co. annually to fund the projects.

Improvements to short lines take up the bulk of the funds. A total of $2.83 million will go toward 11 projects aimed at increasing operating efficiency and safety levels for short lines.

"In addition to improving safety, these projects will support the use of the rail transportation in our state's economic development and job creation efforts," said NCDOT Rail Director Paul Worley in a press release.

The FRRCSI program will also provide $500,000 to fund two projects that will modernize grade crossing signals, and $411,000 to fund two projects aimed at improving rail access for new and existing businesses.