The Southeast High Speed Rail (SEHSR) project, proposed to run through Warren County on its route from Richmond, Va. to Raleigh, could have a significant impact here, not only in terms of property, but also in re-routing a number of area roads.

In efforts to learn more about the project, hundreds of local residents filled Northside Elementary School's multipurpose room on July 13 for a public hearing.

The proposed project includes 162 miles of passenger high speed rail tracks between Richmond, Va. and Raleigh. The SEHSR corridor will connect with the Northeast Corridor that runs from Boston, Mass. south to Washington, D.C. and would make high speed rail service available from Boston to Charlotte. Extensions to Hampton Roads, Va. and to South Carolina and Georgia are anticipated.
After a number of years of planning for the SEHSR project, a draft environmental impact statement recently was made available for public review. The Warren County public hearing was one of eight such meetings which will be held this month in North Carolina and Virginia in conjunction with the release of the report.

In the area between Norlina and Petersburg, Va. new tracks will need to be placed because tracks were removed after rail service ended there in the mid-1980s. The SEHSR project has identified several possible routes that the rail could follow in those areas.
During last week's event, many local residents studied maps of the proposed route alternatives before the public hearing began to see how each one could impact their property. Project representatives were busy before and after the public hearing as they answered citizen questions.

Before public comments were heard, Ed Lewis, Public Involvement/Community Studies group leader with the N.C. Department of Transportation (DOT), outlined the SEHSR project.
He explained that the railroad would be designed to allow freight as well as passenger service. However, there is one major difference between high speed rail and the traditional railroad.

"(The highway) is not going to be able to cross the railroad," Lewis said.
That means that a number of bridges will need to be upgraded or constructed in order to separate the highway and railroad, he said.
"This is a sealed corridor," Lewis said. "If you live on one side and work on the other, how you get back and forth (is something to be considered)."
He said that in addition to the bridges, some new roads will need to be constructed, and some existing roads will need to be realigned.
Patrick B. Simmons, director of the DOT's Rail Division, recently said that the project will include a total of 500 miles of highway work. He said that the roadwork will take place at the same time as rail construction, but detours will be set up to direct traffic around the work area.
"We want to minimize the impact on the public," Simmons said last week. "... During the orange barrel (construction) phase, there will be some disturbance, but we will still maintain access throughout the life of the project. We need to carefully think through the detour system and communicate with people."
Lewis explained that the SEHSR will require an average right-of-way width of between 120 and 150 feet, with 150 feet being about half the length of a football field.
He said that after the SEHSR route and design have been finalized, surveyors will place right-of-way stakes on properties that will be affected. Right-of-way agents will then arrange meetings with all affected property owners with evaluation by professionals familiar with real estate values if permanent right-of-way is required.
A preferred right-of-way route alternative is expected to be complete by the end of this year, and maps of the final recommended route will be available to the public.
The U.S. Department of Transportation will need to review and approve the recommendation. A record of decision from the federal government is anticipated in the spring of 2012.
"(This will show) what project is to be built," Simmons said.
Construction could begin between 2013-17, depending on the availability of funding, Lewis said. It is expected to take between three and five years to build the SEHSR.
At the current time, funding is a major issue. The cost of construction and right-of-way acquisition is estimated at $2.1-$2.3 billion.
"(The project) is federally funded," Lewis said. "There is no funding at this time, but we are actively pursuing funding sources."
Tuesday's public comments ranged from excitement about the potential return of the railroad to Norlina to concern about how property owners would be compensated during the right-of-way acquisition period.
"The railroad was here for 133 years," Ronnie Perkinson of Paschall said. "My ancestors worked on the railroad. I would welcome the railroad back. Our economy went with the railroad."
Emily Perkinson of the Wise/Paschall area, expressed concern about how landowners, especially those with farms and pastureland, would be compensated.
"I have nothing against the railroad coming through, but I want to see proper compensation," she said. "(My land) has been in the family for generations ... I want it to go to future generations. (The railroad) goes right through my farmland."
Perkinson asked what would happen to land that farmers have included in set-aside contracts that limit the use of the land for a certain number of years. Lewis replied that such a question would need to go to DOT officials in Raleigh, and that a written response would be provided.
Ridgeway resident and Warren County Commissioner Ernie Fleming noted that emergency response times will change with the construction of high speed rail. He called for a local stop on the rail route.
"If we have local traffic, we need a rail stop in Warren County," he said.
Lewis said that the SEHSR is likely to reduce the Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Department response area by one-third since roads will not cross the tracks, and some fire response districts may need to be redrawn.
Father Ted Malone of Chapel of the Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Ridgeway expressed appreciation about how SEHSR representatives have met with the congregation to outline the project.
"I am in favor of the project in general," he said. "I think it will benefit our state and region. Our nation needs to (upgrade its infrastructure)."
Nancy Iak of Wise said that the proposed rail route goes through her front yard.
"My concern is that everyone will get compensated," she said. "We are a very poor area. I want to make sure (Warren County landowners') property is considered just as valuable as in areas with a higher standard of living."
Joe Lambertz of Norlina said that he hoped to see local rail service, such as traditional rail, connecting Norlina, Henderson and South Hill, Va.
Lewis replied that local service is being considered as part of the SEHSR study.
Local resident Juanita Yancey asked about compensation.
"Right-of-way affects everyone differently," Lewis said. "Our right-of-way officers are people persons. They will explain the right-of-way process and relocation process. There are so many scenarios for right-of-way negotiations."
Yancey said that she is in favor of progress and hopes to be able to ride the train, but referred to eminent domain laws in her question.
"The state has the power of eminent domain, but we want to work with property owners during negotiations," Lewis said. "We want to treat you fairly."
Warren County resident Karron Higgs asked if local citizens would be given top priority in hiring for work on the SEHSR project, or if outside workers would be hired.
Lewis said that the rail project would bring economic development and jobs, but that he would need to study and provide a response about the possibility of work for Warren County residents.
Former Warren County resident Charla Moran said that she is excited about the SEHSR project because of the opportunities it will bring for young people to be able to commute to jobs in other areas, such as Richmond, Va. and beyond.
"The opportunity for jobs outside Warren County will increase," she said. "This is a boon to Warren County and all counties affected. ... What (SEHSR) will bring is bigger than what you will have to work out with property owners. What it will bring is a future."
During the public hearing, several citizens asked questions that required more study. Lewis said that a written response will be provided to each person who made an inquiry.
The public comment period will end on Aug. 30. Comments and questions may be mailed to SEHSR Comments, NCDOT Rail Division, 1553 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1553, and on the website: www.sehsr.org, which also provides a summary of the project and related maps.