Why Improve Claytons Railroad Crossings?
A growing number of housing and job opportunities in Johnston County are contributing to population increases in and around the Town of Clayton. As traffic volume grows and the number of freight and passenger trains continues to increase, Clayton’s elected officials and NCDOT staff agree on the importance of placing a high priority on safety enhancement projects like the Clayton Grade Separation. Twelve trains travel through Clayton daily — eight Norfolk Southern freight trains and four Amtrak passenger trains. Continued improvements to crossings can help lessen the possibility of train-vehicle collisions. In addition, as trains pass across roadways, vehicular access at the tracks is blocked, affecting emergency services, deliveries, school buses and commuters. Improved crossings can help traffic flow through these intersections. During 2006 there were 75 rail-highway grade crossing collisions in North Carolina, resulting in eight deaths and 21 injuries. To reduce the potential for tra
