North Carolina Construction News staff writer
Construction of a new bridge carrying Durant Road over railroad tracks near Capital Boulevard has reached a major milestone, with crews setting the steel girders that will support the future overpass.
The girder placement marks significant progress on the $65-million Durant Road Grade Separation Project, which is designed to eliminate the at-grade railroad crossing and provide uninterrupted travel for motorists while improving safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and train operations.
When the project is completed in fall 2026, vehicles will no longer have to stop for passing trains. The grade separation is expected to reduce traffic congestion, improve emergency response times by eliminating delays at the crossing, and create a quieter environment for nearby residents by removing the need for routine train horns.
The project also includes reconstructing Durant Road with five travel lanes, sidewalks on both sides of the roadway, and wider outside lanes to better accommodate bicyclists. Additional improvements include new drainage infrastructure, retaining walls, traffic signals, and roadway realignments while maintaining connections to nearby neighborhoods.
The bridge is a key component of the larger S-Line rail corridor connecting Raleigh and Richmond, Virginia. Separating rail and roadway traffic will allow trains and vehicles to move independently, improving safety while supporting future passenger and freight rail operations.
Coinciding with the construction milestone, the Federal Railroad Administration announced a $65 million Federal-State Partnership grant for the broader S-Line Raleigh-to-Richmond project. The funding will help advance improvements along the corridor, which is expected to provide faster, more reliable passenger rail service between North Carolina and Virginia.
The Durant Road Grade Separation Project also includes a $65 million investment from the Federal Railroad Administration, reflecting a continued commitment to improving rail safety and modernizing transportation infrastructure.
Construction is expected to continue through next year, with the overpass scheduled to open to traffic in fall 2026, providing Raleigh residents with a safer, uninterrupted route across one of the area’s busiest rail lines.