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Welcome to our dedicated page on the progress of CSX's recovery efforts in the Blue Ridge Subdivision following Hurricane Helene. We are proud to share the significant strides we’ve made in rebuilding and restoring this vital area. The CSX team, in close collaboration with state and federal agencies, is committed to ensuring the Blue Ridge Subdivision returns to full operational capacity. Below, you’ll find valuable information and updates on the progress of our recovery efforts, reflecting our unwavering dedication to both safety and community resilience.
Before:
Previous CSX railroad approaching the TN/NC State Line Bridge
After:
Damage to CSX railroad between Chestoa Recreation Area and the TN/NC State Line
Damage of CSX rail and bridge at Poplar Boat Ramp
Background:
As a result of Hurricane Helene, approximately 60 miles of CSX railroad in Tennessee and North Carolina was severely affected by flooding and suffered extensive damage. This line handles approximately 14 million gross tons of freight annually and is critical to supporting families and serving businesses throughout the southeast region of the United States.
CSX fully recognizes the importance of the Nolichucky River and is continuing its collaboration with the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, USDA Forest Service, U.S. Fish & Wildlife, other state and federal agencies, as well as the community to ensure the rail infrastructure is recovered and restored in the safest and most environmentally responsible way.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has granted emergency authorization from the Nashville and Wilmington districts to perform recovery and reconstruction. Track materials being recovered after the flooding include rail, ties, ballast rock, bridge spans and other rail bed fill material that was washed into the river. Additional long-term permitting is underway.
A highly skilled team of engineers and environmental specialists are deployed to support recovery and restoration efforts. This work is still in its early phases, and we are working within the required emergency regulatory framework as long-term permitting is finalized.
To continue serving our customers during reconstruction, train traffic is being rerouted around the out of service track. We remain committed to keeping the community informed with timely updates and to fully restoring service on the Blue Ridge subdivision as quickly and safely as possible.
Project Overview:
The Blue Ridge Recovery Project is underway. This project involves safely retrieving track material from the Nolichucky River and responsibly rebuilding rail beds, bridges, and culverts, with a focus on ensuring the rail infrastructure is restored in the safest and most environmentally sustainable way.
Note: Location is marked along the track as a milepost, which is used during railroad operations to document distance and critical markers. For this recovery project, the mileposts are used to designate work boundaries.
The project is broken down into separate sections based on the type of work:
Section of work As of 11/21/24
Damage & Recovery Status
On-going Work
Next Steps
Section 1 –
Erwin, TN (milepost Z 140) to the State Line Bridge (milepost Z 142.5)
Track roadbed completely washed away in some areas.
Status: On-going
Access has been constructed to allow installation of State Line Bridge. Recovery of track material from river.
Short term: Continue to use as access to corridor.
Future: Rebuild track roadbed.
Section 2 –
State Line Bridge (milepost Z 142.5) east and south to Poplar Bridge (milepost Z 147.9)
Two bridges washed away: State Line Bridge & Poplar Bridge. Heavy damage to track and roadbed between bridges.
Status: On-going
Poplar Bridge, spanning approx. 500 feet, requires complete reconstruction after the Hurricane Helene flooding washed out of the entire structure.
Recovery of track material from the river.
Continue damage assessment; recovery of track materials; sub surface reconstructions; preparation for bridge reconstructions.
Section 3 –
Poplar Bridge (milepost Z
147.9 south to milepost Z 165)
Heavy roadbed and track damage.
Status: On-going
Track & roadbed reconstruction.
Recovery of track material from the river.
Roadbed reconstruction & track repairs.
Section 4 –
Milepost Z165 to Spruce Pine, NC (milepost Z 180)
Roadbed & track damage.
Status: On-going
Roadbed & track reconstruction, recovery of track material from the river.
Roadbed reconstruction & track repairs.
Section 5 –
Spruce Pine, NC (milepost Z 180) running south
Status: Substantially complete.
Performing final inspections.
Return to service pending final inspections.
Environmental Stewardship:
CSX is committed to environmental compliance and strives to protect the environment and the safety and health of the public, customers, and employees in all aspects of the company’s operations. All reconstruction activities are being conducted under the oversight of federal and state agencies, including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, USDA Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.
Railroad Construction:
The process of railroad recovery and construction is complex and heavily influenced by terrain and environmental conditions. The damage caused by Hurricane Helene included large sections of railbed and track structures that were washed out or destroyed. Initial damage assessments indicate that some areas will require complete reconstruction in a mountainous environment.
Recovery and reconstruction projects are generally conducted in multiple phases: damage assessment; recovery of track materials; site access; roadbed reconstruction; track reconstruction; track repairs; final inspections; and this all helps for the return to service in this corridor.
