The NCDOT is reactivating the Piedmont and Northern (P&N) Railroad line from Gastonia to Mount Holly. This includes a small portion of the Belmont Spur from its junction at Cason Street south to Woodlawn Avenue. You may have noticed new wooden ties and railboad ballast being installed in these areas. You will also see new safety features at street crossings. Safety is of the utmost importance on this project whether it be in the upgrade of the track/bridges, operation of the trains, or protection at grade crossings. Train speeds will be in the 10 mph range with operations primarily in the daytime but trains can operate at any time. Please note that the Belmont Spur will not be reactivated south of Belmont-Mount Holly Road. That section of railroad will be converted into a bicycle and pedestrian trail. Click here to learn more about the Belmont Rail Trail.
Crossing signals and gates will be installed at a number of the public crossings from Mount Holly to Gastonia. All crossings from Mount Holly to the South Fork Catawba River bridge at McAdenville will have protection devices installed. This includes Highland Ave (NC273), Main St, Clearwater Lake Road, Cason St, and Acme Rd on the P&N main line and Woodlawn Ave on the Belmont Spur. The Mill St crossing in Mount Holly is scheduled to be converted into a gated private road. On the other side of the bridge, Power Dr and Oakland Ave will receive protection devices. Spencer Mountain Rd, Grover St, and Modena St had protection devices installed last year during Phase I of the upgrade project. All other public crossings (12) will have the YIELD and standard crossbuck signs.
In addition, advance RR warning signs and pavement markings will be installed on the highway approaches at all crossings. The signing work is nearly completed and the pavement markings will be installed in the near future upon completion of the track and grade crossing surface upgrade work so paving and other work related equipment doesn't damage or discolor the markings. Sight quadrants at the road crossings have also been cleared of trees, brush, and other vegetation in order to improve visibility.
The installation of the crossing signal equipment should be starting soon. It is intended for trains to stop-and-flag the crossings for the first several weeks until motorists get accustomed to seeing trains on the rail line. The YIELD and standard crossbuck signs have been placed at all the crossings just in case train operations begin before the crossing signals and gates are installed. Public awareness and safety campaigns will be conducted in the area just prior to commencement of any train operations. Planning is already underway in that regard as well. Latest schedule for startup of train service now appears to be mid-January to Feb 1 at the earliest.
For more information, please contact NCDOT Rail Division at 919-733-7245.