In January, U.S. President Obama announced that North Carolina was awarded $545 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds to continue its development of high-speed intercity rail. On 12 July, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation and the State of North Carolina have finalized a grant agreement for $20.3 million, the first installment of the $545 million awarded to the state.

“President Obama’s bold vision for high-speed rail is a game changer for U.S. transportation,” said Secretary LaHood. “We’re improving North Carolina’s transportation infrastructure while putting people back to work. That’s a win for everyone.”

“North Carolina has planned well and is set to build a world-class transportation network that will link the Tar Heel State to Washington, D.C. and the Northeast through high-speed rail,” said Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph C. Szabo.