Tremendous economic and population growth along the Southeast Corridor requires a comprehensive, multi-modal transportation system. The purpose of the Southeast Rail Corridor project is to reduce congestion, improve efficiency of freight flow, and increase the reliability of passenger service between Washington, DC and Palm Beach, FL.

The Southeast Corridor extends from Washington, DC through Richmond, VA and Raleigh, NC, where it splits into two routes that rejoin at Savannah, GA. The Southeast Corridor extends south through Florida from Jacksonville through Orlando and Tampa to a junction with the TRI-RAIL commuter zone near West Palm Beach.

The Southeast Corridor is identical with the designated Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor (SEHSR) between Washington, Richmond, Raleigh, Columbia, Savannah, and Jacksonville. At Raleigh, the designated SEHSR Corridor diverges from the Southeast Corridor toward Greensboro, NC through Charlotte, NC, and Atlanta, GA. The SEHSR Corridor makes a junction with the Southeast Corridor at Jesup, GA between Savannah, GA and Jacksonville, FL.

High speed rail in the Southeast will mean top speeds of 110 mph and average speeds between 85-87 mph. Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia have joined together with the business communities in each state to form a four-state coalition to plan, develop and implement high speed rail in the Southeast. The system will be developed incrementally, upgrading existing rail rights-of-way.

Tiered Environmental Process As with any large, comprehensive transportation system, developing the SEHSR Corridor will take several years. All transportation projects that use public funds must examine potential environmental impacts and involve the public in the decision-making process. North Carolina, Virginia and the FHWA and FRA completed the vital first part of a two-part environmental study for the Washington, DC to Charlotte, NC portion of the SEHSR in October 2002. The first study phase - referred to as the Tier I Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) - examined the need for the project and looked at potential impacts on both natural and man made environments along nine possible routes. Public involvement was critical during this phase with 26 public information workshops and 18 public hearings held in North Carolina and Virginia to solicit feedback about the project. Throughout the Tier I EIS process, meetings with the public, political leaders, planners, resource agencies, railroads and other interested parties were held to obtain input on the project.

For more on the Washington-Richmond and Richmond-Charlotte segments of the Southeast Corridor-High Speed Rail, visit:

Potential Improvements to the Washington-Richmond Railroad Corridor (May 1999)

Transportation Planning for the Richmond-Charlotte Corridor (January 2004)

Web Site for Southeast Corridor-High Speed Rail

Details on Environmental Impact Statement

Corridors of the Future – North Carolina’s proposal, focusing on the Southeast Corridor-High Speed Rail route, has both passenger and freight elements.

Rail Proposal - Corridors of the Future 10-23-06 (PDF 562 KB)

CSX Corridors of the Future (PDF 109 KB)