Apex, NC, Jun. 17, 2026 — After two years of study, Apex leaders are confronting a difficult possibility: even a multimillion-dollar investment in rail infrastructure may not be enough to move CSX switching operations out of downtown.
During last night’s council work session, consultants presented findings (document) showing that upgrading the Durham Spur rail corridor could cost roughly $18.1 million. But much of the discussion focused on a larger question: whether CSX would ultimately relocate its operations even if those improvements were made.
The study grew out of long-standing community concerns about freight rail activity in downtown Apex, including blocked crossings, idling trains, noise, vibration, air pollution, and safety issues. Originally launched in April 2024, the effort began as a search for potential locations to relocate CSX’s switching operations from the town center…