In 1992, the U.S. Department of Transportation designated five national high-speed rail corridors across the country. The original Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor - extending from Washington, D.C. through Richmond and Raleigh to Charlotte - has been identified as the most economically viable high speed rail corridor in the country. The USDOT has since extended the corridor to Atlanta and Macon, GA, Columbia, S.C. and Jacksonville, FL.

North Carolina, Virginia, South Carolina and Georgia are working together to develop high-speed rail in the southeast.

In October 2002 the North Carolina and Virginia transportation departments completed a Tier I Environmental Impact Statement for the Washington, DC to Charlotte, NC portion of the corridor.

North Carolina has been the lead state in working with the host railroads and other states to develop higher speed rail passenger service in the southeast and has worked with the northeast corridor states to designate a future high-speed rail network from Florida to Maine.

What is high-speed rail?
With a top speed of 110 mph and average speeds between 85-90 mph, high-speed rail service in the southeast will provide business and leisure travelers with a competitive alternative to air and auto travel for trips between 100-500 miles.

Where are we in the process?
All projects that use public funds must first examine potential environmental impacts as part of the public decision making process. North Carolina and Virginia are working together on a two-part approach to this required environmental study. The first study phase - referred to as the Tier I Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) - took a broad look at potential impacts along nine possible routes and identified the preferred route. The second study phase - Tier II - includes more specific analysis along the preferred route.

The SEHSR project is currently in the Tier II study phase. Rather than a single large document, smaller environmental studies will be conducted for specific segments of the preferred route where track work will be needed. A Tier II EIS is underway for the portion of the preferred corridor between Richmond, VA and Raleigh, NC.

What happens next?
A Draft Tier II EIS is being prepared that outlines the potential impacts for detailed designs through this segment. Once completed, these documents will be made available for public and agency comment. Then a final Environmental Impact Statement will be completed.

For current status click here.

Contact: David B. Foster, PE

Last updated: January 2007