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GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA <br /> • SESSION 2009 <br /> SESSION LAW 2009-527 <br /> HOUSE BILL 148 <br /> AN ACT TO ESTABLISH A CONGESTION RELIEF AND INTERMODAL <br /> TRANSPORTATION 21 ST CENTURY FUND; TO PROVIDE FOR ALLOCATION OF <br /> THOSE FUNDS TO: (1) LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND TRANSPORTATION <br /> AUTHORITIES FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION PURPOSES, (2) SHORT-LINE <br /> RAILROADS, FOR ASSISTANCE IN MAINTAINING AND EXPANDING FREIGHT <br /> SERVICE STATEWIDE, (3) RAILROADS FOR INTERMODAL FACILITIES, <br /> MULTIMODAL FACILITIES, AND INLAND PORTS, (4) MAKE CAPITAL <br /> IMPROVEMENTS ON RAIL LINES TO ALLOW IMPROVED FREIGHT SERVICE TO <br /> THE PORTS AND MILITARY INSTALLATIONS, (5) EXPAND INTERCITY <br /> PASSENGER RAIL SERVICE; TO EXTEND LEVELS OF LOCAL TRANSIT <br /> FUNDING AUTHORIZATION TO THREE URBAN REGIONS; AND TO ALLOW <br /> OTHER LOCAL GOVERNMENTS OPTIONS FOR LOCAL TRANSIT FUNDING. <br /> The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts: <br /> FUND ESTABLISHED <br /> SECTION 1. Chapter 136 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new <br /> Article to read: <br /> • "Article 19. <br /> "Congestion Relief and Intermodal 21Sf—Century Transportation Fund. <br /> 6 136-250 Congestion Relief and Intermodal Transuortation 21s Century Fund. <br /> There is established in the State treasu the Con estion Relief and Intermodal <br /> Transportation 21"Century Fund hereinafter referred to as the Fund. The Fund shall consist of <br /> all revenues appropriated and allocated to it Interest on earnings of the Fund shall remain <br /> within the Fund. <br /> "6 136-251. Findings of fact. <br /> The General Assembly finds that: <br /> Increased use of rail for transport of freight will reduce highway congestion <br /> as well as allow economic expansion in a way that lessens the impact on the <br /> State highway system. <br /> Public transportation in addition to a program of urban loops and toll roads, <br /> will enable North Carolina to have a balanced 21' century transportation <br /> system. <br /> As part of its initial program of internal improvements the State capitalized <br /> the North Carolina Railroad in the 1840s and invested in other railroads, and <br /> those internal improvements led to North Carolina's rapid economic <br /> development The North Carolina Railroad with a 317-mile corridor from <br /> Charlotte to Morehead Cif is still owned by the State. <br /> Improved rail facilities and restoration of abandoned rail lines can allow <br /> increased access to the North Carolina State ports and military installations <br /> located within the State. <br /> Session Law 2005-222 found that expanding and upgrading passenger, <br /> freight, commuter and short-line rail service is important to the economy of <br /> North Carolina; and provided that the State would seek to provide matching <br /> funds partly so it can leverage the maximum federal and private participation <br /> • to fund needed rail initiatives such as the restoration of the rail corridor <br /> from Wallace to Castle Hayne and a rail connection between north-south and <br /> east-west routes in the vicinity of Pembroke. <br /> I <br /> . " 1 4 8 - V - 6 <br />