Durham, N.C. – The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has awarded up to $1,220,000 to Durham County as part of a national effort to reduce the number of railroad crossings in communities around the country, especially in urban centers. The Railroad Crossing Elimination (RCE) Program is administered by the FRA and provides funding for highway-rail or pathway-rail grade crossing improvement projects that focus on improving the safety and mobility of people and goods.
“This funding will allow us to properly plan for a critical safety project that is long overdue,” said Durham County Commission Chair Brenda Howerton. “Our goals for the project are to improve safety for pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and the surrounding community, enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors, and provide reliable access and connectivity to businesses and community resources in East Durham.”
The Durham Rail-Crossing Engagement, Planning, and Innovative Revitalization (Durham REPAIR) project will support planning and project development activities to provide grade separation, or to close, three adjacent crossings. The planning initiative will reassess recommendations from the 2014 Traffic Separation Study and update the study with new, current, and projected traffic data.
The crossings located at S. Plum Street, S. Driver Street, and Ellis Road require action due to high traffic levels and related crash histories. Over the past twenty-five years, there have been nineteen crashes causing three fatalities and nine injuries at these crossings.
Durham County Government and project partner GoTriangle will contribute funds totaling a 20%, non-federal match. The updated study will include an equitable community engagement effort to create a holistic network of community solutions that will improve safety, while also enhancing economic, social, and mobility goals. Durham County is committed to prioritizing these safety improvements while also being acutely sensitive to and providing mitigation for any impacts of the project.
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