RALEIGH — Federal transportation officials have obligated $550 million for North Carolina’s S-Line passenger rail project, advancing work on a corridor intended to shorten trips between Raleigh and Richmond, Virginia.
The Federal Railroad Administration and North Carolina officials announced the funding milestone Oct. 15. The U.S. Department of Transportation said the money would support repairs and upgrades to existing track, with additional funding contemplated pending the project’s success.
The federal agency projects that the completed route could reduce travel time between Raleigh and Richmond by up to 90 minutes. Officials also expect more capacity for passenger and freight trains and improved reliability.
The announcement concerns funding for development of the future route. It does not establish that the full corridor is ready for passenger service, and the releases did not announce a service-opening date.
Gov. Josh Stein and state Transportation Secretary Daniel Johnson joined federal officials at the Durant Road grade-separation project, part of the Raleigh-to-Wake Forest segment of the broader S-Line program.
According to the governor’s office, the state transportation department expects bridge construction there to finish in November 2026, with final restoration work continuing through July 2028. Those dates apply to that project rather than completion of the entire interstate rail corridor.
The crossing project will separate road traffic from the railroad. State officials said it is intended to improve safety for road users and rail operations while reducing delays at the existing crossing.
The federal release separately highlighted $300 million for the Piedmont Corridor Safety Program between Raleigh and Charlotte. That funding supports closing nine at-grade crossings, building five grade separations and measures to prevent people from entering railroad rights of way.
The Piedmont allocation is separate from the $550 million S-Line obligation. Together, the announcements describe distinct investments in North Carolina’s rail network, with different construction needs and service goals.
The governor’s office said the S-Line program builds on federal rail grants awarded from 2020 through 2025.