Rep. Price, Gov. Cooper to announce $58M investment in Raleigh to Richmond Corridor

WAKE FOREST, N.C. (WNCN) — Congressman David Price (NC-04), Gov. Roy Cooper (D) and other government officials met in Wake Forest Thursday to announce a historic $58 million federal investment in the Raleigh to Richmond Corridor.

Price and Cooper were joined by Amit Bose, U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Railroad Administration, and Mayor Mitch Landrieu, Senior Advisor to the President and White House Infrastructure Coordinator.

“As Chairman of the House Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee, I was pleased to secure dedicated funding in Fiscal Year 2021 appropriations legislation for projects like this that have a widespread, regional impact,” said Chairman David Price. “I look forward to continue working with NCDOT, my colleagues, and other stakeholders to advance this critical effort that will reap benefits for generations to come.” 

The $58 million funding is awarded through the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Grant program. The funding will lead to economic development, job growth and improve transportation equity by serving underdeveloped communities along the R2R Corridor.

The funding will reduce passenger rail travel times by over an hour between Raleigh and Richmond, offering a more efficient and environmentally friendly alternative to travel than vehicular use on interstates I-85 and I-95.

“This grant allows for the next steps forward in developing a vital link in the southeast region’s passenger and freight rail network,” said Eric Boyette, N.C. Department of Transportation Secretary. “We look forward to ongoing collaboration with our partners as engineering gets underway to connect North Carolina and Virginia’s already successful rail services.”