Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor > News > NC-VA High Speed Rail Commission

News Release
Date: June 13, 2003

Agencies begin second round of environmental studies for high-speed rail project
Public input is needed
The North Carolina Department of Transportation and the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation, in partnership with the Federal Railroad Administration and Federal Highway Administration, have begun the second level of environmental studies needed to develop high-speed rail in the Southeast. The Tier II Environmental Impact Statement will look at specific designs and will provide more precise and detailed analysis of potential impacts to the human and natural environments.
Once the study is completed, the results would be used to acquire the permits needed for construction.
The Southeast High-Speed Rail project would provide passenger rail service between Washington, D.C. and Charlotte, N.C. at a maximum speed of 110 mph. Service eventually may extend to South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. The two transportation agencies began initial environmental work nearly four years ago, examining nine possible routes along the 500-mile corridor.
In the first level of environmental studies, referred to as the Tier I Environmental Impact Statement, the departments took a broad look at potential impacts of high-speed trains along nine routes within the corridor. As part of the environmental analysis, the agencies researched potential impacts on the economy, communities, surrounding development and other transportation systems. They also examined the engineering feasibility, as well as potential revenue, ridership and costs to determine which route would have the best potential for high-speed rail service while having the fewest environmental impacts. In addition, they held dozens of information workshops and formal public hearings to discuss the project and solicit public input; more than 80 percent of the feedback indicated support for high-speed rail.
Last spring, the transportation secretaries of North Carolina and Virginia announced the preferred route would extend from Washington, D.C. through Richmond, Petersburg, South Hill, Henderson, Raleigh and Greensboro to Charlotte and include a connection to Winston-Salem, as well. In October, the two transportation departments received federal confirmation and approval on the designated Southeast High-Speed Rail route.
The two states and their federal partners are now proceeding with the Tier II Environmental Impact Statement for the Petersburg, Virginia to Raleigh, North Carolina segment of the corridor. During the next two months, six public information workshops will be held along the corridor to present project information and gather public input. (See schedule below.)
Though early estimates indicate high-speed rail could be operational in the Southeast by 2010, rail passengers will notice several improvements in the interim. Each state will be working on various infrastructure improvements that will benefit high-speed rail and improve existing passenger and freight rail services. Improvements will include crossing upgrades, adding or replacing segments of double track, realigning curves and installing new train signals. The agencies also will begin planning for train station development and start examining new train equipment that could be used on the route.
Completion of the Southeast High-Speed Rail corridor is dependent on securing federal funds to help develop the route. Congress currently is considering several pieces of legislation that would provide dedicated funding for development of high-speed rail corridors.
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Southeast High-Speed Rail Public Information Workshops

June 24 Kittrell, NC Zeb Vance Elementary, 4800 Raleigh Rd.

June 26 Franklinton, NC Franklinton Elementary, 431 Hillsborough St.

July 10 Dinwiddie, VA Dinwiddie Elementary, 13811 Plank Rd

July 15 Raleigh, NC NCSU McKimmon Center, Corner of Gorman St. and Western Blvd

July 17 Wake Forest, NC Wake Forest-Rolesville Middle School, 800 South Main St.

July 22 La Crosse, VA La Crosse Elementary, 1000 School Circle Rd.

July 24 Norlina, NC Norlina Fire Department, 103 Center St.

Aug 5 Petersburg, VA Site to be determined

Aug 7 Alberta, VA Southside Virginia Community College - Christanna Campus,
109 Campus Drive

Contacts: David Foster - NCDOT, 919-733-7245 x266 Tamara Neale - VDOT, 804-786-6458