RJ Coleman asks Horry County for $1.4M commitment to Carolina line rehabilitation

RJ Coleman, the presenter for the Carolina line project, updated council members on track repairs, crossing replacements and bridge and ballast work planned along a corridor that staff described as long neglected. He said the Horry County portion of the project would total roughly $16,000,000 and asked the council for a letter of commitment for a $1,400,000 local match to leverage federal and private funds.

"The whole project total is $16,000,000, and that is in Horry County," Coleman said during his briefing, summarizing the scope and funding split. He outlined a funding plan in which the Federal Railroad Administration would contribute about $11,200,000, RJ Corman and partners would contribute about $3,400,000, and the county match being requested would be $1,400,000. Coleman also described operational goals — including reaching about 9,000 annual carloads and improving track class — and said the earliest transfer of funds and project start dates are projected in 2026–27.

Council members asked staff for additional cost-per-mile estimates and for comparisons to other regional projects before committing county funds. Members noted the potential for passenger service upgrades would require substantially more investment; staff said the current proposal is focused on freight and infrastructure stabilization and would move the track from its current condition toward Class 1 standard in the targeted segments. Coleman said he would provide maps and a more detailed breakdown in the packet for the council to review before any formal county commitment.