NCDOT Continues Work to Modernize Railroad with $7 Million Project

Raleigh, NC, February 15, 2008 --(PR.com)-- The N.C. Department of Transportation recently completed a $7 million train signal and track project between downtown Raleigh and downtown Cary that will enhance freight and passenger rail efficiency and continue to improve service reliability.

“Projects such as this one demonstrate the important role technology plays in improving the reliability, efficiency and capacity of existing railroad corridors,” said Patrick B. Simmons, NCDOT rail division director. “This new signal system is another example of our ongoing commitment to modernize the railroad and maximize our available resources.”

New bi-directional signals were installed, which will increase the railroad’s capacity and flexibility by allowing trains to move more efficiently in each direction on each track. The signal system uses the latest in cutting-edge technology and provides a cost-effective capacity improvement. The upgraded track work also allows passenger train speeds to increase from 60 miles per hour to 79 mph, which will help improve train reliability.

Other future planned improvements along the Raleigh to Cary corridor include the junction at Cary, the bridge over East Durham Road and sections of track work along the corridor.

Through partnerships with Norfolk Southern, CSX Transportation, North Carolina Railroad and local governments, NCDOT’s ongoing program of modernizing the railroad has enhanced safety and capacity by systematically protecting highway-railroad crossings, adding passing sidings, straightening curves and the installation of up-to-date computer controlled train dispatching and traffic control systems.

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