Southern Shores plans light rail system to alleviate congestion

After June’s failed experiment with “No Left Turn” (NLT) the Town of Southern Shores is investing in a new light rail system to help alleviate congestion on the town’s residential streets. The main line, dubbed the “White Line”, will transport passengers from a station at US 158 and Dogwood to the intersection of Sea Oats Trail and NC 12. The system will initially use two high-speed electric trains with plans to expand if ridership numbers increase. Track work is expected to be completed by mid-July and the trains will begin service in the beginning of August.

“We’re really excited to test this new system,” said Southern Shores Mayor Richard Butler. “Have a couple of kinks to work out, like where all the tourists are going to park to ride the train, but really that’s minor compared to the congestion relief we expect to see.”

Mayor Butler said he was disappointed that the Southern Shores Rapid Transit Authority was unable to secure permission to build the rail into Duck but noted that Duck “does like their crosswalks” and the rail line would have created interruptions in the flow of pedestrian traffic.

The two new trains are top-of-the-line EXS-19’s manufactured by Bombardier Transportation out of Canada. Dubbed “The Brown Streak,” the EXS-19 go from 0 to 60 in 1.2 seconds and can achieve top speeds of 240 mph. The trip from Dogwood Station to Sea Oats station will take approximately 58 seconds.

Southern Shores Planning Director William Potter said only two trees had to be cut down to make room for the tracks. He also noted that Southern Shores residents will be provided lifetime passes to ride the trains.