NCDOT Study Projects $66.9M Annual Economic Output From Passenger Rail

An economic study from the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) Rail Division projects that restoring passenger-rail service between Salisbury and Asheville would generate over $1 billion in economic output during its implementation phase. The analysis further estimates an annual economic output of $66.9 million once the line becomes operational. Passenger service on this specific route ceased in 1975.

The proposed state-supported Amtrak service is intended to improve transportation access between the state’s Blue Ridge region and several major workforce and metropolitan hubs. Asheville is currently the most requested destination within North Carolina that is not served by passenger rail. Restoration would establish a direct connection for the city to the national passenger rail network.

Key economic areas that would gain improved access include the Charlotte metropolitan area, the Piedmont Triad, and the research hub near Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill, commonly known as the Research Triangle. The project aims to enhance workforce mobility across these critical economic zones.

This infrastructure proposal emerges amid shifts in the state’s economy. According to data from the North Carolina Department of Commerce, the state’s manufacturing sector experienced a 1.6% contraction in 2025, representing a loss of 7,200 jobs. This decline in manufacturing occurred while other economic sectors reported employment growth, indicating a potential transition in the state’s labor market composition.

The NCDOT study provides a quantitative foundation for legislative consideration and federal funding applications for the rail corridor’s restoration. The findings will be used to evaluate the project’s long-term financial viability and public benefit.