NC S520

North Carolina Department of Transportation shall study the cost and feasibility of a commuter rail service linking Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and High Point in the Piedmont Triad.

Study must include population and development growth projections through 2050, a phased construction plan prioritizing highest-ridership routes, daily ridership estimates, and projected annual operation costs.

Study shall analyze costs of acquiring land and existing rail capacity rights, and recommend creation of an entity to manage and maintain the rail service.

Department shall report findings and recommendations to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Transportation and Fiscal Research Division no later than December 29, 2024.

$100,000 in nonrecurring funds from the Highway Fund appropriated for fiscal year 2023-2024 to conduct the study; act becomes effective July 1, 2023 and expires December 29, 2024.