Durham Orange ROMF Railyard
What’s the ROMF? (Durham Orange Light Rail Maintenance Facility)
Go Triangle, a NC state-authorized agency, plans to put a 24-acre rail yard only 350 yards from a local elementary school, less than 50 yards from a senior community, and in close proximity to a number of established family neighborhoods in southwest Durham. Construction could begin as early as January 2020. Visit the GoTriangle ROMF page here.
If built, what will be at this site?
This is not a train station, nor a train stop. It is:
- A rail yard;
- A maintenance facility; and
- An operations center.
The 23.4 acre site at the intersection of Ephesus Church Road and Farrington Road up against I-40 has been rezoned to an industrial zone for a 24/7 rail yard operating year-round for maintenance and storage of 20 plus light rail trains. Read more at CreeksideRailyard.net. The site is narrow forcing the trains to take tight turns in the railyard, increasing noise levels.
- Descriptions of the rail yard can be found in the zoning application filed by GoTriangle this year and a GoTriangle web page.
Why should you be concerned?
The harm from excessive noise, increased traffic congestion, and storage of controlled fluids at the site is a certainty. A number of neighborhoods in both Orange and Durham County will be negatively impacted by the ROMF. See a list of the affected neighborhoods here.
What about the noise?
Noise and light pollution is a big issue for neighboring homes and schools in Orange County as well as Durham County because the ROMF sits on the border of Durham and Orange Counties.
What’s happened so far?
- Ocotober 9, 2918. There was a zoning hearing at the Durham City Planning Commission; the Commission did not approve the zoning application.
- December 3, 2018 The Durham City Council voted on the rezoning required for the rail yard at 7pm, (101 City Hall Plaza/Council Chambers/1st Floor Address: Durham, NC 27701) despite vehement opposition from area residents who opposed rezoning the site from residential to industrial.
- February 2, 2019 Neighbors Sue to Block Maintenance Facility, INDYWeek
How can you help?
A newly-started non-profit called ARCS has filed a lawsuit against the City of Durham and GoTriangle. Read the Press Release about the lawsuit here. Read the full complaint here.
They have also created a campaign fund to support the lawsuit. Donate here to help fight the ROMF.
Where is the ROMF located?
The ROMF backs up to I-40 and extends along Farrington Road, next to Patterson’s Mill, across the street from Culp Arbor, a residential neighborhood for residents over age 55 and near five schools. The proposed site sits on the far western edge of Durham County, a stone’s throw from many Chapel Hill neighborhoods.
What’s in the Neighborhood of the proposed ROMF?
Schools, churches, and neighborhoods.
Show me what the light rail sounds like in another NC city?
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