Improvements Made to Two Rail Crossings in Craven County 

RALEIGH — The N.C. Department of Transportation has made crossing safety improvements at two intersections in Craven County.

NCDOT installed crossing signals and gates at the intersection of Cicero Rigg Road (State Road 1232) and the Norfolk Southern Railway tracks near Cove City. The $157,374 project was paid for with 90 percent federal funds and 10 percent state funds from NCDOT. As many as eight freight trains travel through the crossing daily at speeds up to 40 miles per hour.

In Vanceboro, NCDOT installed crossing signals and gates and removed the spur track at Farm Life Avenue and the NS tracks. The $170,500 project was paid for with 90 percent federal funds and 10 percent local funds. Four freight trains use this crossing daily at speeds up to 35 mph.

NCDOT and NS will split the cost to maintain the crossing near Cove City. Maintenance of the Vanceboro crossing will be split between the railroad and the town.

These Craven County projects are part of a comprehensive statewide program to enhance highway safety by adding or improving signals and gates at public railroad crossings. Mechanical warning devices are now in place at nearly 2,400 of North Carolina's 4,121 public at-grade crossings.

 ***NCDOT***

Contact:
Joan Bagherpour, 919-733-7245 x261
NCDOT Rail Division