The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) held a ground-breaking ceremony on Friday for the Raleigh Union Station, which will help increase capacity, safety and efficiency when it opens in 2017.
The project is a joint initiative between the city of Raleigh and the rail division of NCDOT. The station is expected to improve transportation along the railroad corridor between Raleigh and Charlotte, North Carolina.
“The Union Station project stands to change the economic development potential of the Warehouse District; the station will replace what is currently an under-utilized collection of warehouses and vacant land with a new city landmark that will not only serve as a multi-modal transportation hub but also a civic space with potential for special events and expanded dining and entertainment options downtown,” Raleigh Mayor Nancy McFarlane said.
NCDOT Secretary Tony Tata and North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory joined McFarlane in the ceremony along with U.S. Rep. David Price (D-NC) and U.S. Department of Transportation Assistant Secretary Carlos Monje.
The new station will replace an existing Amtrak station on Cabarrus Street, which is not able to keep up with rail passengers and often sees overcrowding as a result.
“Breaking ground on Raleigh’s Union Station is one more example of how the state is working with cities and local communities to achieve this goal,” McCrory said. “This multi-modal transit station will create jobs and connect people throughout our state for generations to come.”
