Buttigieg, Cooper break ground on $1 billion direct rail connecting Triangle to Richmond, Virginia

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg visited Raleigh on Monday to break ground on a $1 billion project connecting the Triangle to the Northeast.

The S-Line will introduce a passenger rail route between Raleigh and Richmond, Virginia. It is due to include stops in towns along the way, including Apex, Henderson, Wake Forest and Youngsville.

Buttigieg and North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper attended Monday’s event at 9230 Durant Road in Raleigh.

Buttigieg said the project will create a lot of good before it’s done in 2029 or 2030.

“It's creating good-paying jobs,” Buttigieg said. “It's helping businesses grow. It means presents under the tree. It means homeownership, means a new car truck in the driveway for so many families in and around Raleigh who were involved in the project, but then when it's complete, then you have a whole new chapter of economic benefit from having that high-quality passenger rail.”

The first stage of the project will create a roadway overpass at 9320 Durant Road to help improve safety and efficiency for vehicles and trains in the area.

Currently, Amtrak trains go from Raleigh to Selma and through Rocky Mount. It currently takes about 3 hours and 51 minutes to get to Richmond by train.

The S-Line is a direct route using freight rail tracks. It is expected to reduce the time it takes to travel to Virginia's capital city by an hour.