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In fall, the North Carolina Railroad Co. (NCRR) plans to begin upgrading a line between Raleigh and Goldsboro to increase capacity and train speeds.

The $18 million project — which will be construction managed by Norfolk Southern Railway and funded through track-lease revenue — includes building three passing tracks totaling six miles and installing a Centralized Traffic Control (CTC) system. Under the project’s first phase, NCRR will construct two main passing tracks in Auburn and Powatan. A second phase calls for building two yard tracks and a passing siding east of Selma.

NCRR also plans to upgrade existing yard and siding tracks, and install CTC on a line between Raleigh and Pine Level. Amtrak, which uses the line, will be able to increase train speed from about 50 mph to 60 mph because of the CTC system.

"NCRR is committed to making rail improvements that will increase capacity, safety, speed and reliability for both freight and passenger trains," said NCRR President Scott Saylor in a prepared statement.

NCRR owns and manages a 317-mile Morehead City-to-Charlotte rail corridor over which NS and Amtrak daily operate more than 60 freight and eight passenger trains, respectively.