City in North Carolina to Install Second Train Platform and Renovate Historic Station Following Purchase
In the heart of Salisbury, North Carolina, a historic transformation is underway. The city has announced plans to purchase and renovate the 117-year-old Salisbury Depot, marking a significant step towards improving regional connectivity and promoting sustainable transportation.
Originally designed by architect Frank Milburn, the Spanish-mission style depot was abandoned by Norfolk Southern and the North Carolina Railroad in the 1980s. The Historic Salisbury Foundation, which purchased the depot for $220,000 in 1985, has since been renting it out for events to generate income. However, the events are no longer sufficient to maintain the station.
The official transfer of ownership is expected within the next three months, with Salisbury set to purchase the depot for $3.5 million. This purchase, along with renovations and related site improvements, is being funded by an $11.7 million federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) grant.
Salisbury is also providing $320,000 from its general fund and $1.7 million through the Strategic Transportation Improvements Program. The grant includes $3.2 million for site improvements and $8.5 million for building renovations and the initial purchase.
The renovated depot will serve as a public waiting area, restoring its historic Grand Hall. The site will link local and long-distance bus services, improve pedestrian and bicycle access, and support ridesharing options like Uber and Lyft to facilitate seamless transfers between modes of transportation.
One of the key elements of the project is the construction of a second passenger platform alongside a pedestrian underpass. Led by the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) as Project P-5726, this $16 million initiative aims to increase rail capacity and safety. Salisbury is contributing a local match of approximately $780,000.
Salisbury is a sponsor for the Western North Carolina Passenger Rail Restoration Project, a $665 million initiative aiming to reconnect Salisbury to Asheville and enhance regional passenger rail service. By 2045, Salisbury is projected to support approximately 100,000 local passenger boardings and nearly 290,000 connecting trips annually.
City officials emphasize the project's benefits for expanding travel options, supporting sustainable transportation choices, and promoting tourism and economic development through improved access and connectivity. The plan positions Salisbury as a key transportation and tourism hub along this corridor, with a potential use for the new platform being a train to Asheville.
In summary, Salisbury’s renovation and expansion plan aims to restore its historic depot, build a second passenger platform with pedestrian access improvements, and create a comprehensive transportation hub that integrates multiple transit modes to support growing regional rail connectivity and local mobility needs.
- The renovated Salisbury Depot, once purchased, will not only serve as a public waiting area but also link local and long-distance bus services, fostering a more integrated transportation system.
- The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) is leading the $16 million initiative to construct a second passenger platform alongside a pedestrian underpass, enhancing rail capacity and safety.
- In the future, Salisbury could see increased finance from the transportation industry, as it could potentially become a key transportation and tourism hub due to the renovations, with potential daily passenger boardings reaching approximately 100,000 by 2045.
