The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) recently released a study that establishes plans and strategies to prepare for Transit Oriented Development (TOD) regarding the S-Line rail corridor in central North Carolina.
“The study is the result of a close partnership between NCDOT and the S-Line communities to understand how passenger rail can help each community achieve their goals,” Julie White, NCDOT Multimodal Transportation deputy secretary, said. “From more affordable housing to more walkable vibrant town centers, the study provides guidance to the towns for how to make the most of the future passenger rail opportunity.”
The study examines development along the S-Line rail corridor that will better connect the Southeast to Washington D.C. and places further north. It evaluated multimodal transportation opportunities, affordable housing considerations, market conditions, and regulatory conditions in several central North Carolina communities.
Future benefits for communities along the S-Line include improved mobility and access, increased housing, downtown vibrancy, higher quality of life and economic vitality.
NCDOT’s next step is to conduct mobility hub site assessments and design.
The purpose of TOD is to create compact development with a mix of housing, office space, retail, civic spaces, and neighborhood amenities near a mobility hub.