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The North Carolina Railroad Co. (NCRR) recently contracted engineering firm Kimley Horn & Associates to provide preliminary design services for a grade separation project in Charlotte.

The railroad plans to eliminate the busiest crossing along its 317-mile Charlotte-to-Morehead City corridor. NCRR manages the corridor, which is used by more than 70 freight and eight passenger trains daily.

Eliminating the crossing on Sugar Creek Road near North Tryon Street will improve safety, increase freight and passenger train speeds, and protect the environment by "reducing the amount of time so many vehicles must idle at the crossing," said NCRR President Scott Saylor in a prepared statement.

After Kimley Horn completes preliminary design work in August, the railroad plans to develop recommendations for building a grade separation. NCRR, which has set aside $10 million for the more than $20 million project, would launch construction after determining exact costs and obtaining matching funds from local, state and federal sources.