RALEIGH, N.C. (NCN News) – A pairing of state and federal dollars will help keep plans on track for passenger service connecting Raleigh and Richmond, VA.
Governor Josh Stein and Transportation Secretary Daniel Johnson joined the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) in Raleigh Thursday (Oct. 15) to announce $550 million in Federal-State Partnership funding to advance the S-Line Raleigh to Richmond Innovating Rail Program, a project that will reduce Raleigh-to-Richmond travel times by more than an hour.
“Living in the number one state that people from other states are moving to, North Carolinians need good transportation options that get them where they need to be when they need to get there,” said Stein in a press release. “The S-Line will connect North Carolina residents to more transportation options within the state and beyond so they can get to school, work, or anywhere else they need to go. I am grateful to our federal partners and congressional delegation.”
“This project represents an important step forward in improving rail connections across North Carolina and the Southeast, while supporting freight operations and improving safety,” said N.C. Department of Transportation Secretary Daniel Johnson. “We are thankful for the continued support from the FRA as we continue to build the next generation of passenger rail.”
FRA representatives, including Administrator David Fink, joined Governor Stein and other state and local officials at the Durant Road grade separation project to observe construction progress as crews advance into the final stages of bridge construction on a key segment of the future S-Line rail corridor connecting North Carolina and Virginia.
NCDOT expects bridge completion in November 2026, with final restoration work concluding in July 2028. Once complete, the project will eliminate the existing at-grade crossing, improving safety for motorists, pedestrians, cyclists, and train operations while reducing traffic delays. Enhanced roadway connections will also improve mobility and accessibility while supporting future growth.
The Durant Road project is part of the Raleigh to Wake Forest segment of the S-Line Raleigh to Richmond Innovating Rail Program, a high-performance corridor connecting North Carolina and Virginia. Supported by FRA grants awarded from 2020 to 2025, the program will deliver faster, more frequent passenger rail service; reduce travel times by more than an hour between North Carolina, Virginia and the Northeast; and strengthen connections across the region.
NC By Train continues to see strong ridership growth, serving hundreds of thousands of passengers annually and connecting North Carolina’s major cities and destinations with safe, reliable service.