Carolina move to kill federal HrSR grant withdrawn

Efforts by North Carolina legislators to reject $462 million in federal funds for higher-speed rail (HrSR) improvements have stalled, following objections from Democrats, business interests, and at least three mayors within the Tar Heel State, as well as quiet disagreement among Republicans themselves.

House Bill 422, a “high speed rail” bill sponsored by Assemblyman Ric Killian, with 12 co-sponsors, was pulled from consideration last week from the agenda of the House Transportation Committee, after Republican State Sen. Bob Rucho signaled his support for the rail funding.

Killian argued that accepting the federal funds would hurt freight service, weaken the state-owned North Carolina Railroad, and undermine the state’s economic development prospects.

Along with numerous other states and Amtrak, North Carolina has sought to secure some of the $2.4 billion in HSR funds recently rejected by the state of Florida.