New siding on tap for North Carolina Railroad

North Carolina Railroad Co. (NCRR) recently announced that construction is under way on a passing siding near the Lenoir-Wayne County line that will increase rail capacity on the eastern portion of its corridor to better serve freight customers and military installations.

NCRR is funding the $4 million siding, which is being built by Norfolk Southern Railway and contractors. NS also will provide ongoing track maintenance services. The Class I uses NCRR tracks to serve the Port of Morehead City, three military bases, and other businesses and industries.

To be completed in fall, the two-mile-long siding is the first lengthy passing track to be built along a 114-mile stretch of NCRR's corridor between Selma and Morehead City, N.C., NCRR officials said in a press release. NCRR owns and manages a 317-mile corridor running from the Port of Morehead City to Charlotte that accommodates up to 60 freight trains and 10 passenger trains daily.

The siding is one of a series of planned capital improvements between Durham and Morehead City designed to enhance safety and efficiency, and add capacity to help increase track usage.

"Projects like these help maintain or increase train speed and allow for greater use, [which is] good for keeping businesses in North Carolina and attracting new ones," said NCRR President Scott Saylor.