RALEIGH, N.C. — A draft feasibility study for a 43-mile commuter rail line connecting Raleigh and Durham projects the project could cost $2.8 billion to $3.2 billion, WRAL-TV reports.
The $9 million study for regional transit agency GoTriangle is now being presented to local officials for review. A final version is slated to be is presented to the public in August.
The line would run southeast from Durham through Raleigh to the communities of Garner or Clayton. It would use an existing route owned by the North Carolina Railroad Co. and operated and maintained by Norfolk Southern, but would require infrastructure work including double tracking of some sections, 11 to 12 new stations, and rolling stock. A start-up service between Raleigh Union Station and Garner, which would cost $600 million to $700 million, is also an option.
“It may be easier to implement the [starter] project while you can continue to work on the more difficult challenges elsewhere in the corridor,” Katharine Eggleston, GoTriangle chief development officer, told the station.
The agency estimates it could attract 10,000 to 18,000 passengers per day, depending on ridership costs.
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