CHARLOTTE, N.C., Oct. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Aberdeen Carolina & Western Railway (ACWR) is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a $19.9 million federal grant through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program.
The project will modernize the existing rail that was laid in the early to mid 1900s with approximately 30 miles of continuous welded rail in Montgomery and Stanly counties. “A healthy rail network is critical to take freight off of our nation’s highways, and we thank the FRA and USDOT for supporting projects like ours” said Anthony Menzies, CEO of ACWR. The grant will support a total investment of $41 million in rail infrastructure investments of which ACWR and NCDOT will contribute 52% of non-federal match.
ACWR received support from Senator Ted Budd, Senator Thom Tillis, Congressman Mark Harris, Congressman Richard Hudson, Congresswoman Alma Adams, and Congressman Brad Knott, as well as freight customers and state and local officials.
Senator Budd said “I am glad that Aberdeen Carolina & Western Railway has received funding from the Department of Transportation under the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) grant program. Upgrading North Carolina’s rail infrastructure to handle heavier loads and increasing speed will ensure products can come and go quicker and more efficiently, helping our state continue to drive our nation’s economy forward.”
The ACWR’s largest customers include Perdue and Mountaire Farms which feed over eight million chickens per day and support over 150,000 jobs. Additionally, Charlotte Pipe recently relocated its pipe foundry from downtown Charlotte to Stanly County along the ACWR rail line, resulting in nearly half a billion-dollar investment. Congressman Mark Harris (NC-08) said “modernizing our rail infrastructure in Stanly and Montgomery counties will improve safety, strengthen freight transportation, and support the businesses that drive our local economy. I was proud to support this project because a safe, reliable rail network is essential to ensuring south-central North Carolina remains economically strong and competitive for years to come. This nearly $20 million federal investment is a major win for North Carolina’s 8th District.”
The application also demonstrated the strength of the ongoing public-private partnership between ACWR and the NCDOT Rail Division, which played a critical role in the grant development process. “We’re proud to support our short line partners as they improve rail connections for North Carolina businesses,” said Jason Orthner, NCDOT Rail Division Director. “Investments like this help local industries move goods more efficiently and position communities for continued economic growth.”
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SOURCE Aberdeen Carolina & Western Railway
