The 100 miles between Greensboro and Charlotte is one of the most heavily traveled railroad corridors in the state. This corridor hosts as many as 40 trains per day, including several passenger trains and high priority freight trains. NCDOT sponsored track improvements within this corridor focus on increasing track capacity and improving train speed in an effort to make the railroad as fluid as possible. This segment of railroad is part of the federally-designated Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor.

Replace Double Track Sections
At one time the entire rail corridor between Greensboro and Charlotte had two tracks. Portions of the second track were removed in the 1960's as part of a signal system improvement. Railroad traffic has increased greatly since that time and additional capacity is now needed. Rebuilding the second track in four separate areas (see projects below) will create a 92-mile stretch of double-track railroad between Greensboro and Charlotte. This long double-track section will greatly increase corridor capacity, improve traffic flow and passenger train schedule reliability by allowing freight and passenger trains to quickly and efficiently maneuver around each other.

Road-bed construction at Hoskins

Greensboro to High Point - (Cox to Hoskins) milepost 289.3-298.0
This project is currently constructing an 8.7-mile section of second main track on the old roadbed (to the east side of the existing track) between "Cox" in west Greensboro and near Hoskins Street in High Point. New crossovers will be constructed to allow trains to quickly change from one track to the other at Cox and Hoskins.
Estimated Cost: $20 million
Construction Schedule: Construction has begun with estimated completion in late 2009.
Result: The new double track section will improve reliability and traffic flow, increase capacity and save more than one minute of travel time per train.

Thomasville to Lexington (Bowers to Lake)-milepost 309.8-314.0
A 4.2-mile section of second main track will be built on the old roadbed (to the east side of the existing track) from west of Thomasville to just east of Lexington. Crossover turnouts (switches) will also be constructed with this project.
Rough Cost: $12 million
Construction Schedule: Planning and environmental work is underway. Construction date has yet to be determined.
Result: The new double track section will improve reliability and traffic flow, increase capacity and save one minute of travel time per train.

Engineers study the existing roadbed between Bowers and Lake for construction and environmental issues.

Salisbury to Kannapolis (Reid to N. Kannapolis)-milepost 337.3 to 347.3
A 10.0-mile section of second main track will be replaced on the old roadbed on the west side of the existing track from south of Salisbury to north of Kannapolis.
Rough Cost: $22 million
Schedule: Planning and environmental work is underway. Construction date has yet to be determined.
Result: The new double track section will greatly improve rail corridor capacity in this area, resulting in improved passenger train schedule reliability and freight traffic flow.

Concord to Charlotte (Haydock to Junker)-milepost 360.0 to 372.0.
A 12.2-mile section of second main track will be replaced on the old roadbed primarily on the west side of the existing track from south of Concord to Charlotte. New crossovers will be constructed and select curves will be realigned for improved passenger train speeds.
Rough Cost: $30 million
Schedule: Planning and environmental work is underway. Construction date has yet to be determined.
Result: The new double track section will greatly improve rail corridor capacity, resulting in improved passenger train schedule reliability and freight traffic flow. Removal of equilateral turnouts on each end of the project will save more than 1 minute of travel per train.

Curve Improvements
About 35 curves between Greensboro and Charlotte are in the process of being realigned and super elevated further (or banked) to allow trains to travel faster and more smoothly. Work includes surfacing track and installing ballast.
Estimated Cost: $1.5 million
Construction Schedule: Work is currently underway between Kannapolis and Concord.
Result: Improving the curves will save more than 3 minutes per train, as well as improve train performance and provide a smoother ride for passengers.

Contact: Jason Orthner, PE

Updated 1/2009