High Speed Rail Through Raleigh: Light At The End Of The Tunnel?

Image courtesy Sura Nualpradid via FreeDigitalPhotos.net

As reported in today’s News & Observer, a public hearing was held yesterday at the Raleigh Convention Center to unveil the latest option for siting a high-speed rail line through Raleigh.  The new route unveiled by N.C. DOT engineers, dubbed “NC5,” would feature a 700-foot bridge over Capital Boulevard between Peace and Wade Avenues.  Despite adding a reported $32 million in construction costs to the 3.4-mile segment of the line between Hargett Street and Whitaker Mill Road, the latest proposal appears to be drawing some favorable reviews from interested Raleigh residents, according to the N&O.

Additional information regarding the proposed Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor from Washington, D.C. to Charlotte can be found here.

9/30/2011 Update:  North Carolina has been awarded a $4 million grant by the U.S. Department of Transporation for environmental and design work for constructing a high-speed rail connection between Raleigh and Richmond; the Department’s press release is here.