Lexington receives $25M in federal funding for train station
LEXINGTON, NC – The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) division of USDOT arrives to announce that the City of Lexington, with tremendous support from NCDOT, has completed the required prerequisite tasks to release funds for the Lexington Train Station. USDOT selected Lexington to receive $25 Million through the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant program in September 2020. Passenger rail is a critical transportation network, and now Lexington has the opportunity to connect by 2028.
For nearly two decades, the City of Lexington has been seeking passenger rail to provide residents alternate and equitable transportation options, both regionally and as a gateway corridor up and down the east coast. Tammy Absher, Lexington’s Business and Community Development Director, who led the City’s efforts throughout those 20 years, stated, “Without the partnerships of all agencies involved, Lexington Train Station would not be possible. Federal, State and local agencies, elected officials, Norfolk Southern, North Carolina Railroad and other partners all had to work together for this project to happen.”
The train station 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, connecting with Talbert Boulevard, and improving the tracks between the two areas. The project will also include closing the at-grade rail crossing on Seventh Avenue.
“More than a decade ago, it was determined by NCDOT and Amtrak that a station in Lexington would add nearly 11,000 users annually to its rail system,” said NCDOT’s Rail Division Director, Jason Orthner. “The new station will be a fantastic gateway for these members of the community and visitors, as well as a center point of economic activity in this district.”
The Lexington Train Station is a shining example of synergized collaboration at multiple levels of the United States government and Railroad stakeholders. City officials are absolutely committed to this successful venture with all key partners, bringing home to Lexington the ultimate goal to connect current and future generations of residents, visitors and commerce to a vital transportation option of rail transit.
