http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/04/09/2211399/nc-gop-abandons-hope-of-killing.html NC has decided to allow the NCDOT to accept money that was awarded to them for rail improvements on the state owned and NS operated NC Railroad between Charlotte and Raleigh. $545 million will be spent to add double track from Charlotte to Greensboro, bridge over many roads, and increase train speeds to 70mph. The line in 2015 will be upgraded with positive train control which will allow trains to travel at 90mph between Charlotte and Raleigh. Other improvements will include 5 miles of added sidings between Greensboro and Raleigh. Also in Uptown Charlotte where the CSX and NS mainlines cross, the CSX main will be put in a ditch while the NS main will bridge over it. This by itself will cut 1/4 of the cost off the Lynx Red Line commuter train to Irredell county and allow NCDOT and Charlotte Area Transit System to move forward with the planned Charlotte Gateway Station in Center City Charlotte which will eventually be served by Greyhound, CATS buses, streetcar, Lynx Red and Silver line, and Amtrak. NCDOT wants $620 million more in order to bring train speeds to 110mph and improve stations along the line and build the new Gateway Station in Charlotte. It is unknown currently if the GOP will allow anymore funding for rail. Currently NCDOT runs 3 trains each way every day between the capital and NC's biggest city. There is talk of a fourth daily train but it would require the state to buy more equipment. In Charlotte alone other projects seeking funding include the 10 mile Lynx LRT blue line exstension to UNC Charlotte, the 30 mile Lynx Red Line commuter train from Charlotte to the Lake Norman Area. Also the city has decided to move forward and build its first 1.5 mile segment of a planned 10 mile streetcar line. Its gonna be a interesting few years ahead for passenger rail in the Tarheel state and I will do my best to post updates. Alex
