Raleigh leaders hear plan for high-speed rail

The route follows the Norfolk Southern tracks north from Jones Street along the west side of Capital Boulevard.

This option would keep northbound and southbound lanes of West and Harrington streets open to vehicle traffic. It would avoid the need for a bridge near Glenwood South, the task force said.

The Norfolk Southern line would also allow for a pedestrian bridge to maintain existing access along Jones Street.

It's one of three options the task force presented to the City Council Tuesday.

City officials held off voting on the recommendation and decided to hold a public hearing at 7 p.m. on Aug. 31, in the council chamber of the Avery C. Upchurch Government Complex, 222 W. Hargett St.

The Council's decision would be a recommendation to the North Carolina Department of Transportation, which would ultimately decide how to route the Southeast High-Speed Rail corridor in North Carolina.

The rail, still years away from completion, would provide high-speed train service from Raleigh to Washington, D.C.

The DOT has held several public meetings in communities that will be affected by the project.

The department has said that input will be taken into consideration as it designs the train corridors.

The state was awarded $545 million in federal stimulus funds to support the high-speed rail system.

Plans are to complete the track from Charlotte to Raleigh within three years.

The timeframe for the rail from Charlotte to Richmond is projected to be 2017 or later.