Maleah Funderburk
Editor
Nearly two years after a fatal accident and a series of other incidents at low-clearance railroad crossings near campus, Wingate University has begun early phases of construction to address longstanding safety concerns as well as the long-awaited project of building new housing.
Mike Easley, head of Campus Safety, notified students of upcoming road closures via email on April 7. The closures, which began on April 16, have affected several sections of Main Street — a road frequently used by commuters, residents, and locals. The detours have caused delays and frustration, especially for commuter students traveling to academic buildings like NEU and the Art Complex.
The construction follows two incidents in January 2023, when tractor-trailers became stuck at the Main Street crossing within the same week. Those incidents occurred just months after the tragic death of freshman Kyle Honore, who was struck and killed by a train in August 2022.
Residents and business owners have long voiced concern about the safety hazards. Jay Moncrief, owner of Jay’s Custom Tattoos, previously told WCNC, “[he’s] afraid that one day something is going to happen, they are going to derail, and something is going to come flying through [the] building.” Wingate’s town manager echoed the urgency in 2023, calling the train situation “a ticking time bomb.”
Some construction, specifically near NEU, was dedicated to future housing developments for both students and Wingate citizens. The Town of Wingate recently approved multiple residential and commercial site plans, which will provide new housing for graduate students, with a focus on a large development on Pearl Street.
While many agree the upgrades are overdue, not everyone is pleased with the timing.
“They should’ve waited until summer,” said Summer Lowder, a senior psychology major and commuter student. “This shouldn’t be happening during a semester when there are so many students on campus.”
Students have also noted that the detour routes are narrow and riddled with potholes. Avoiding obstacles while making room for tractor-trailers has proven difficult for both students and community members.
Some have taken to Yik Yak, the anonymous social media platform, to share their frustrations.
Despite the complaints, town and university officials stress that the project is a crucial step in protecting both students and the broader Wingate community. The project, which has caught the attention of local news sources, is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
Since the incidents early in 2023, the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has installed warning signs prohibiting 18-wheelers from using the elevated crossings. However, Queen City News reported that large trucks continue to cross the tracks, with one 18-wheeler seen driving over the Main Street crossing twice in a single afternoon.
The town of Wingate and NCDOT have identified three crossings at Belvin, Stuart and Main Street as the primary focus of the project. According to NCDOT, the main construction to even out the roads is not expected to begin until August 2025. However, preliminary work — like moving utility poles and surveying the area — is already underway.
“It wouldn’t look like [anything] would be happening until August 2025. You will see some poles being moved,” NCDOT engineer Jahmel Rullen told Queen City News.
Crews are currently in the surveying phase, examining both surface and underground elements near the railroad crossings. This phase, expected to wrap by the end of September, includes coordination with utility companies to relocate power poles and underground wires if necessary.
Once this is complete, the project will move into Right of Way (ROW) Planning and Environmental Documentation. Utility companies are expected to begin relocating infrastructure throughout 2024 to avoid major conflicts during construction. The project could take 12 to 18 months to complete and is estimated to cost over $1 million.
NCDOT says the eventual upgrades will include leveling the road surface and replacing the crossing guard arms to accommodate the new height. An agreement between the Town of Wingate, NCDOT and CSX is still in draft form and pending approval from the NCDOT Board of Transportation, which is scheduled to meet in August. Only after all parties sign the agreement will a finalized version be made public.
Wingate Triangle 