A project evaluating new intercity passenger rail lines across North Carolina is igniting new passion for an old form of transportation.

The Atlanta-based railroad operates more than 1,100 miles of tracks in North Carolina, and the hurricane forced it to rebuild 13 miles of it between Newport, Tennessee, and Asheville, North Carolina.

All railroad tracks are private property and trespassers can be arrested or fined, according to North Carolina General Statute. Do not cross the tracks immediately after a train passes.

Ellaryan Marie Miller, 21, of Wendell, was leaving her summer internship job in Clayton when she was struck by the train.

He said a $1.5 million grant from the North Carolina Railroad Company, as well as a $4 million NCDOT matching grant. Now, he says, it is a matter of building back business.

Hurricane Helene brought torrential rains, causing catastrophic flooding in North Carolina and Tennessee on September 27, ...

The Saluda Grade Trails Conservancy bought 31.5 miles of track to build a mixed-use path that could connect to other, already established trails.

The Saluda grade Trails Conservancy plans to hold an event with speeches and live music to celebrate moving forward with the mixed-use trail.