RALEIGH — The North Carolina Ports Authority and 13 short line railroads, including one in Nash County, will be improving their rail infrastructure thanks to approximately $10.9 million in matching grant funds as part of the N.C. Department of Transportation’s Freight Rail and Rail Crossing Safety Improvement program.

Carolina Coastal Railway will receive $1.1 million for mainline bridge and track improvements in Beaufort, Greene, Johnston, Martin, Nash, Pitt, Wake, Washington and Wilson counties.

FRRCSI supports rail infrastructure health, safety and performance throughout the state, enabling NCDOT to partner with rail companies on improvement projects to effectively move freight.

The partnership helps railroads efficiently meet customer needs in cost-effective ways while preparing them for growing service demands and partnerships with new businesses and industries.

The awarded grants are matched with railroad investments to contribute more than $21.7 million in rail infrastructure improvements statewide. Together, these projects will upgrade more than 12 miles of railroad track and 35 bridges in North Carolina. The Freight Rail and Rail Crossing Safety Improvement Program was established in 2013 by the N.C. General Assembly.