DURHAM, NC (March 9, 2026) — Today, Congresswoman Valerie Foushee (NC-04), a member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, applauded a significant step forward for the Raleigh to Richmond S-Line rail corridor after more than a year of advocating for the release of stalled federal funding for the project. The Federal Railroad Administration has obligated $57.9 million for land surveying and engineering along the 162-mile corridor, a high-performance passenger rail route designed to deliver faster, more frequent, and reliable service along one of the East Coast’s most traveled routes. The investment, provided through the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) program, marks a major milestone for the project and will support planning work led by the North Carolina Department of Transportation.
“The Raleigh to Richmond S-Line is poised to transform passenger rail in our region, and after being stalled for far too long, it is finally moving forward,” said Congresswoman Valerie Foushee (NC-04). “This critical project represents decades of work to turn an underused freight corridor into a modern passenger rail route that will not only connect communities, but link people to jobs, education, and opportunity. This progress is a testament to what sustained pressure and partnership can deliver, and I will continue working to ensure it stays on track and fulfills its promise to the people and communities along the corridor.”
Years of advocacy for transportation infrastructure set the stage for what has become a landmark moment for the region. In December 2023, the Biden Administration awarded the S-Line project nearly $1.1 billion through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the largest grant in the history of the North Carolina Department of Transportation. The grant was intended to fund the engineering design, right of way acquisition, and construction costs needed to bring the project to life.
However, in January 2025, despite that historic investment and the growing momentum behind passenger rail, the Trump Administration froze the project’s funding through Executive
Order 14154 (Unleashing American Energy). Portions of the funding remained stalled, delaying key project milestones.
Over the past year, Congresswoman Valerie Foushee repeatedly pressed the U.S. Department of Transportation, raising the issue in committee hearings, sending letters to Department leadership, and working directly with officials to advance the project. During a recent Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Hearing, Congresswoman Foushee secured a commitment from Secretary Sean Duffy to work with Congress to ensure S-Line funding moves forward.
With this funding, the North Carolina Department of Transportation will begin surveying and engineering work along the 162-mile corridor between Raleigh, North Carolina and Richmond, Virginia, a critical step toward advancing passenger rail service in the region.
Congresswoman Foushee will continue to work with federal, state, and regional partners to ensure the S-Line project stays on track.
Read more about how construction is advancing from the North Carolina Department of Transportation here.