20210907_Rail_Comments

NORTH CAROLINA
RAILROAD RECEIVED
C O M P A N Y
September 2, 2021
LAND QUALITY SECTION
Mr. Adam Parr
State of North Carolina
Department of Environmental Quality
1612 Mail Service Center
Raleigh NC 27699-1612
RE: Proposed Sandpit Operation on Field Station Road (Lenoir County)
Dear Mr. Parr:
Regarding a notification received from North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ)
dated August 7, 2021, for a proposed sandpit operation on Field Station Road in Lenior County, North
Carolina Railroad Company (NCRR) would like to offer the following information. As the owner of the
track and railroad corridor along the frontage of the proposed operation, NCRR is concerned about the
proposed increase in frequency of truck traffic and length of trucks required to cross an existing private
grade crossing location. It is our understanding a new sand pit operation is proposed with sole access to
the site through use of this existing crossing with only the use of passive crossing protection in the form
of stop signs.
NCRR Engineering has specific concerns related the increase in number of trucks required to cross the
track daily and the typical length of these trucks. Further, it appears the trucks will be required to wait at
a stop condition at Field Station Road thus requiring the truck to block the existing track while waiting for
roadway traffic to clear before clearing the crossing safely. This is an active rail corridor with daily
freight train traffic. This line is operated and maintained under agreement with Norfolk Southern
Railway. While North Carolina Railroad Company owns the track and the 200-foot-wide railroad
corridor, both railroads work together to promote safety and a sustainable rail corridor across 16 counties
in North Carolina including Lenoir County.
NCRR requests that other access locations be considered for this proposed sandpit operation and that
NCDEQ not permit the primary access location be maintained across the railroad corridor. Further,
s rhoould-tliis access location be rcequit NCRR requests more active grade crossing protection devices be
provided, at project expense, at this existing railroad crossing location.
We would like the opportunity to provide additional feedback and work proactively with both NCDEQ
and the applicant to promote a safe and sustainable interaction between the proposed sandpit operation
and the railroad corridor. We look forward to your timely response.
Sincerely,
Donal. Arant, PE
Vice President Engineering
North Carolina Railroad Company
2809 Highwoods Boulevard, Raleigh, North Carolina 27604-1000
Phone: [phone] I Fax: [phone]