By Emily Ford
eford@salisburypost.com
SALISBURY — As Salisbury continues to prepare for high-speed rail, Mayor Susan Kluttz has been appointed vice chairwoman of the Amtrak Mayors’ Advisory Council.
Kluttz has served since 1999 on the 15-member council, which raises awareness of intercity passenger-rail services and lobbies Congress to fund rail projects in Amtrak cities like Salisbury. Kluttz is the only North Carolina mayor on the council.
Rail has benefited Salisbury economically since 1855, when the first train came through the city, Kluttz said.
Many of Salisbury’s historic buildings, including the ornate train station, were constructed as a result of economic development connected to rail.
“It gave us an economic boost 100 years ago when rail first came through here,” she said. “One hundred years later, we are seeing revitalization and renovation of these buildings.”
Kluttz said she has been a staunch supporter since taking office because rail is good for the environment and helps alleviate congestion on roads and interstates.
“I really have always believed rail is an answer to some of these problems,” she said.
A national magazine read by Amtrak employees recently highlighted Kluttz and Salisbury’s Rail Walk District, an area near the rail line on North Lee Street where businesses and artists have moved into renovated warehouses.
Until recently, Salisbury had 17 at-grade crossings within three miles, a higher concentration than any other city on the Norfolk Southern main line, City Engineer Dan Mikkelson said. About 40 freight trains come through the city every day.
Salisbury conducted a rail corridor safety study in 1994 and has closed 10 at-grade crossings.
The Horah Street crossing will be next. The state and railroad will pay to close the crossing, and the railroad gave the city a $42,000 incentive, which will help upgrade Lincoln Park.
Construction is scheduled to begin next year for realignment of the Klumac Road crossing, a $7 million project paid for by federal stimulus funds. Right-of-way acquisition, expected to cost $1.38 million, will start in October.
The two-year realignment project will close the crossing at Klumac Road and send traffic under the railroad tracks on new extension of Mooresville Highway.
The change will make the city safer and better prepare for high-speed rail, Mikkelson said.
Kluttz said she will work to make sure Salisbury continues to benefit from rail.
“When we do have high-speed rail, we want Salisbury to have a stop on it,” she said.
Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett was appointed chairman of the Amtrak Mayors’ Advisory Council.
Contact reporter Emily Ford at 704-797-4264.