Lexington celebrates BUILD grant award
Representatives from multiple branches of government were present at the BUILD grant event on Wednesday afternoon. Pictured from left to right are Jason Orthner, director of North Carolina Department of Transportation’s Rail Division, Stephanie Blair, regional representative for US Senator Thom Tillis, US Congressman Ted Budd, Federal Railroad Administration Administrator Amit Bose, Tammy Absher, director of the Office of Business and Community Development, Lexington City Manager Terra Greene and Lexington Mayor Jason Hayes. {Kassaundra Shanette Lockhart/Davidson Local}
Federal, state and local officials gathered on Wednesday afternoon, Sept 28, at Goose and the Monkey Brewhouse to celebrate being awarded the BUILD, Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development, grant to the city of Lexington. The $25 million grant will be used to construct the Lexington Train Station, which will connect the “Barbecue Capital of the World” to passenger rail service.
On the federal level, US Congressman Ted Budd and Federal Railroad Administration Administrator Amit Bose shared statements. Jason Orthner, director of North Carolina Department of Transportation’s Rail Division, was present. Representing Lexington were Mayor Jason Hayes, City Manager Terra Greene and Tammy Absher, director of the Office of Business and Community Development. US Senator Thom Tillis was represented by Stephanie Blair.
The brief program consisted of a welcome from Hayes and remarks from the aforementioned representatives. Snippets are taken directly from speakers’ quotes.
Bose – “It’s my honor and pleasure to congratulate all of you on today’s BUILD grant to construct a new passenger rail station in the city of Lexington. The US Department of Transportation and FRA support for the Piedmont corridor goes back decades. As a central link for passenger rail in the region, the corridor connects communities, commuters and local economies across North Carolina. Today’s nearly $25 million award will upgrade existing service and provide North Carolinians with more travel options.”
Budd – “It was easy to get behind this and support the depot project here and the train station. Lexington is a great city to live in, work in and raise a family. And I know this depot project is only going to make it better. Congratulations to everyone.”
Orthner – “Lexington is finally getting closer to building the multi-modal station in the heart of its redeveloping depot district that so many have wanted for so long. More than a decade ago, it was determined by DOT that a station in Lexington will add several thousand passengers annually to our rail system.”
Blair (on behalf of Tillis) – “I was honored to advocate for this grant to construct a new transportation center and was proud to present it when it was announced in September 2020. I applaud the great work you’re doing to improve services for our residents and I wish you continued success in the years to come.”
Greene – “I get to thank all of the partners over the course of two decades that brought this to fruition – a team pf public servants in every layer of government. Lexington is eternally grateful. Tammy Absher, you are our hometown hero. Without you, none of this would’ve been possible.”
Hayes – “There’s been so much work that’s been done by city staff and all of these partners. Thank you on behalf of the city.”
The project includes building two new boarding platforms, renovating the historic freight depot as an interim passenger station, a vehicle tunnel under the railroad at Fifth Avenue, which will connect with Talbert Boulevard, and improving the tracks between the two areas. Additionally, the project will include closing the at-grade rail crossing on Seventh Avenue. The project will lead to increased access to alternate transportation options for the city of Lexington, better connecting rail transit and other services.
Completion of the train station is expected to occur in 2028.
All photos by Kassaundra Shanette Lockhart for Davidson Local.
