Asheville Amtrak train line proposal advanced by NC transportation department
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The potential of Asheville passenger rail has taken a notable step with a historically large pot of federal funding now being considered for the estimated $665 million, 139-mile project.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation in May put forward a Salisbury to Asheville line for federal consideration as part of 12 proposed routes.
A decision by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Railroad Administration on which lines to fund could come by November. Boosting the chances is $550 billion set aside for new programs in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act signed by President Joe Biden in 2021.
"We already know that Amtrak has designed 2035 for restoration of service to Asheville. So, some of the things are aligned in our favor right now," Ray Rapp, a Democratic former state legislator and long-time rail proponent told the Citizen Times Aug. 11.
But some remain skeptical, including Republican Congressman Chuck Edwards, who said he was unsure whether rail would make sense.
"I’m open to further discussion with local NCDOT leaders regarding how this would impact our communities," Edwards said.
As of 2015, the estimate to bring passenger rail to Asheville from Salisbury by 2035 was $405 million. The $665 price tag came with the state's Western North Carolina Passenger Rail Feasibility Study whose draft was published in May and which should be finalized by September, said Liz Macam, spokesperson for NCDOT's rail division.
"If the Federal Railroad Administration selects a corridor to participate in the Corridor Identification and Development Program this means that the FRA will fund project planning and development activities for that specific corridor," Macam said. "It also means the FRA supports that corridor advancing to the implementation stages of final design and construction and finally, that corridor becoming operational and providing passenger rail service."
The corridor is eligible for up to 80% federal funding for Project Development activities, with the remaining 20% to be supplied from State and/or local funds.
That means backing is important from officials at multiple levels, said Rapp, the four-term state House member who is co-chairing the effort to build that support with Republican Marion Mayor Steve Little.
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A high priority on their call list is Edwards, Rapp said.
"We're anxious to have the congressman's support in this. We need it, for sure," he said.
Some highlights of the feasibility plan:
Passenger rail last ran to Asheville in 1975.
Estimated cost of new line is $665 million.
139 miles from Salisbury to Asheville along tracks now used by freight lines.
Includes the "Old Fort Loops," a 13-mile stretch of track that twists, winds and curls through tunnels and over bridges up the Eastern Continental Divide.
Possible stops are in Black Mountain, Old Fort, Marion, Morganton, Valdese, Hickory/Conover.
Fare is estimated at $24, but that could change since it is based on 2023 pricing assumptions.
Asheville's train station: NCDOT owns land near Biltmore Village, but a proposal has been made to stop the train in the River Arts District, which is closer to downtown but would add $5 million to the cost.
Joel Burgess has lived in WNC for more than 20 years, covering politics, government and other news. He's written award-winning stories on topics ranging from gerrymandering to police use of force. Got a tip? Contact Burgess at jburgess@citizentimes.com, 828-713-1095 or on Twitter @AVLreporter. Please help support this type of journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Proposed Asheville Amtrak train advanced by NC transportation dept.
