R.J. Corman Railroad has been awarded a state grant to improve the railway between Columbus County, Mullins and Conway.
The N.C. Department of Transportation’s Rail Division this week announced $1.8 million in 50-50 matching grant funding to improve rail infrastructure on three short line railroads, including Corman, Aberdeen Carolina and Western, and Alexander Railroad Co. This grant funding is in addition to $10.2 million in grants to 12 short line railroads, announced in December 2023 under the same program.
Corman will receive $666,764 for improvements, the DOT said in a press release.
The projects will improve three railroad bridges and 18 miles of railroad track improvements in North Carolina, supporting the increase of freight rail traffic on the statewide railroad network. The state hopes to reduce highway traffic congestion by diverting freight to rail.
The state’s $1.8 million share for the rail projects is provided through the NCDOT’s Freight Rail and Rail Crossing Safety Improvement program. It will match equal investments from several railroad companies.
“We value our continued partnership with the short line railroads of North Carolina,” said Jason Orthner, NCDOT Rail Director. “These projects improve the safe and efficient transit of freight, while safeguarding the viability of our statewide freight rail network.”
As part of the freight program, NCDOT’s Rail Division partners with railroad companies to support statewide freight rail infrastructure health, safety and performance. This public-private partnership helps efficiently and cost-effectively meet the growing demand for rail service.
Each of the rail improvement projects will be paid for with 50-50 matching funds from the state and private railroad companies. The Freight Rail and Rail Crossing Safety Improvement Program was established in 2013 by the N.C. General Assembly.
