Railroad improvements in Steele Creek scheduled for next month

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Channel 9 has been covering the bumpy drive along Westinghouse Boulevard in Steele Creek since May.

[PAST COVERAGE: Drivers frustrated at lack of repairs at Westinghouse railroad crossings]

Residents have said loose bolts, splitting wood and surrounding potholes at the railroad tracks have damaged their cars and caused accidents.

“It's rough on vehicles that's for sure. Heck on the shocks, and they really need to repair them,” neighbor Jason Smith said.

In May, Norfolk Southern said improvements should start in the coming weeks, but now it's been months.

A spokesperson hasn't answered Channel 9's questions about the delay. In July, the North Carolina Department of Transportation said it had difficulty connecting with the railway about the repairs.

[PAST COVERAGE: Drivers fed up with railroad conditions]

NCDOT said it took a while to agree on things like the type of crossing repairs, what time of day to do the work and cost sharing.

NCDOT said work has been scheduled to make improvements at these five railroad crossings along Westinghouse Boulevard.

• Westinghouse Boulevard near Fruehauf Drive
• Westinghouse Boulevard west of Granite Street
• Westinghouse Boulevard east of Granite Street
• Westinghouse Boulevard near Texland
• Westinghouse Boulevard near State Road 1130 Culp Road

NCDOT said the work was supposed to start next week, but Norfolk Southern had some staffing issues. The rail work is now expected to start the week of Nov. 12.

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