Richmond-to-Raleigh High-Speed Rail Gets Big Funding Win

Federal grant funding awarded recently takes a critical step toward making high-speed intercity rail service a reality between North Carolina and Virginia.

2 minute read

September 27, 2020, 11:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Raleigh, North Carolina

BLAZE Pro / Shutterstock

"The effort to establish high-speed passenger rail service between Raleigh and Richmond, Virginia, got a boost Friday with a $47.5 million federal grant to the N.C. Department of Transportation," reports Richard Stradling. 

"The money will allow the state to buy a rail line between Raleigh and Ridgeway, near the Virginia state line, from freight railroad CSX," adds Stradling. The Federal Railroad Adminsitration refers to the planned intercity rail line as the Southeast High-Speed Rail Corridor.

(Astute observers will recall a CSX sale playing a central role to rail transit plans that will connect the state of Virginia to Washington, D.C.)

As for how the new stretch of rail line will play into the ambitions for intercity rail between North Carolina and Virginia, Stradling explains that the "state’s long-term plans for rail service include passenger trains capable of going 110 mph between Raleigh and Richmond on the [CSX] S-line."

"Actual construction of the project is still years away, but NCDOT is working to eliminate railroad crossings on the CSX line in Wake County by building bridges, starting with Durant and New Hope Church roads in Raleigh," according to Stradling.

The grant was announced earlier this month by a bipartisan coalition of Congressional representatives of the state of North Carolina. The news about the state of North Carolina's high-speed, intercity rail ambitions synchronized with news about high-speed rail plans in Texas gaining key approval from federal regulators.

Friday, September 18, 2020 in The News & Observer

View of small-town street with brick buildings and cars parked in diagonal parking with string lights going across street in Cleveland County, Oklahoma.

Norman, Oklahoma Eliminates Parking Mandates

The city made a subtle, one-word change that frees up developers to build parking based on actual need and eliminates costly unnecessary parking.

September 14, 2023 - Next City

Few passengers waiting in subway station with multiple platforms and "North Station" signs in Boston, Massachusetts

Boston Transit Riders Report Safety Concerns

Almost three-quarters of current and former riders report feeling unsafe while using MBTA services.

September 18, 2023 - Hoodline

View of Boston from Bunker Hill with statue in foreground

Boston to Begin Zoning Code Update, Mayor Announces

It’s been nearly 60 years, but the city of Boston is finally ready to do a comprehensive rewrite of its zoning code.

September 14, 2023 - The Boston Globe

Sidewalk in Seattle with yellow fall leaves on the ground and cars parked next to the curb.

Proposal Could Mandate Sidewalks as Part of Seattle Complete Streets

Almost a third of the city’s neighborhood streets lack sidewalks.

September 24 - The Urbanist

View of San Francisco neighborhood from top of hill with misty bay in background.

San Francisco Supervisors Punt Housing Ordinance

After hours of public comment, the zoning reform package aimed at increasing housing production and limiting red tape was delayed for further discussion.

September 24 - SF Standard

Woman wearing helmet riding POGOH bike share bike in bike lane in Pittsburgh, PA.

Pittsburgh Launches Adaptive Bike Share Fleet

The new bikes include a recumbent bicycle and a front-loading cargo bike.

September 24 - Pittsburgh Magazine