The North Carolina Department of Transportation has received a $3.4 million RAISE grant for mobility hub planning along the future S-Line.
The grant was announced Tuesday at a media event held in Depot Park and attended by officials from across the state. Mayor Rebecca Wyhof Salmon and Council member Byron Buckels spoke during the announcement.
The Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant was funded by the Biden administration to help communities modernize transportation opportunities and make transportation systems safer, more accessible, more affordable, and more sustainable.
Wake Forest worked with NCDOT to apply for RAISE funds with Norlina, Henderson, Franklinton, Youngsville, Apex and Sanford as supporting partners. The funding is allocated for planning and preliminary design of mobility hubs in these communities along the proposed S-Line route.
The S-Line is a developing rail corridor that will better connect rural and urban communities, improve and expand freight and passenger services, and significantly reduce rail travel times between Raleigh and Washington D.C.
Activities funded by the grant include feasibility and site assessments for all the communities and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance and preliminary engineering for four of the seven communities.
The project will lead to increased access to active transportation options for each community, better connecting rail transit, and other services.
"Our community is truly excited about the possibilities and impact of this project," said Mayor Salmon at the announcement. "Today is the next big step in making the S-Line part of Sanford's and our region's future."