On Monday, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg made a visit to Raleigh to commence the groundbreaking of a project worth $1 billion, which aims to connect the Triangle to the Northeast.
A new passenger rail route called the S-Line is set to connect Raleigh and Richmond, Virginia. This route will have stops in various towns along the way, including Apex, Henderson, Wake Forest, and Youngsville.
Pete Buttigieg and Governor Roy Cooper of North Carolina were present at the event held on Monday at 9230 Durant Road in Raleigh.
According to Buttigieg, the completion of the project in 2029 or 2030 will bring about significant benefits.
Buttigieg emphasized that the project is not only creating well-paying jobs, but it is also fostering the growth of businesses. This development translates to tangible benefits such as presents under the tree, homeownership, and even a new car or truck in the driveway for families in and around Raleigh who are involved in the initiative. Furthermore, the completion of the project will usher in a new era of economic benefits, thanks to the high-quality passenger rail it will provide.
To enhance the safety and efficiency of vehicles and trains in the area, the initial phase of the project will involve constructing a roadway overpass at 9320 Durant Road.
At present, Amtrak trains travel from Raleigh to Selma and pass through Rocky Mount. The journey from Raleigh to Richmond by train takes approximately 3 hours and 51 minutes.
By utilizing freight rail tracks, the S-Line offers a direct route that can help reduce travel time to Virginia’s capital city by up to an hour.