After a recent NC State graduate was struck and killed by a train in September, there are renewed calls for railroad crossing safety awareness near Powell Drive, especially as the State Fair gets underway.
On Sept. 11, Mackenzie Gilliam, 22, was leaving an NC State football game after Carter-Finley Stadium was evacuated because of severe weather. She and her friends walked south toward home, eventually reaching the railroad crossing at Powell Drive.
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According to police, Gilliam was struck around 8:45 p.m. as two trains were passing each other in the area.
“It appears [Gilliam] may not have noticed the second train before being struck,” police said.
Gilliam was remembered as a woman with an infectious, vibrant spirit who lived life to the fullest. She had recently graduated from NC State and planned to attend graduate school.
“A beautiful soul gone far too soon,” her obituary reads.
Railroad bridge recommended a decade ago
A decade earlier, a study of railroad crossings in the area recommended building a bridge at Powell Drive.
The 2016 Raleigh-Cary Rail Crossing Study recommended the “Realignment of Powell Drive to connect with Youth Center Dr with a railroad bridge over the realigned road.”
The proposal was considered a long-term project with an estimated cost of $44 million.
According to the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), the project was submitted for consideration for state transportation funding but has not received a high enough score to qualify.
“Following the study, this project has been submitted into the Strategic Transportation Investment (STI) process to compete for state transportation funding. The project has not yet scored high enough to receive available funding in the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP),” NCDOT said.
Other railroad safety projects underway
Meanwhile, nearly 20 miles northeast of the crash site, NCDOT is putting the finishing touches on a railroad overpass as part of the S-Line Raleigh-to-Richmond project.
“We are big fans of grade separation,” Federal Railroad Administrator David Fink said. “They eliminate the chance of highway/rail grade crossing collision and improve both road and rail safety and traffic flow.”
Officials say these types of overpasses eliminate potential points of conflict between trains, vehicles and pedestrians. They also improve traffic flow and railroad efficiency.
Fink said these improvements remain a major focus for federal railroad officials.
“2025 was the safest year in the industry from a derailment and a personal injury standpoint,” Fink said. “But from a grade crossing collision and trespasser, our numbers have gotten worse. This will help it go down.”
To support safety improvements, the federal government is providing $300 million for the Piedmont Corridor Safety Program.
“This will help us improve safety along our existing passenger rail corridor,” NCDOT Secretary Daniel Johnson said. “$300 million to strengthen our Piedmont corridor in Guilford, Durham and Wake Counties.”
However, Johnson said that funding is unlikely to be used for a specific safety project at Powell Drive.
“I don’t know that there is a specific project right now to create a bridge over there,” Johnson said. “There are a lot of projects going on right by NC State and the fairgrounds to help improve pedestrian flow to and form both Carter-Finley and the Fairgrounds across that intersection. But that project’s underway and we’ll continue to look for additional ways to improve safety along that corridor.”
Johnson was referring to the Blue Ridge Road project, which includes an underpass allowing vehicles and pedestrians to travel beneath the railroad tracks.
“That project will make sure that the vehicles and pedestrians and all the fairgoers, those going to sporting events, have a clear path to cross the railroad,” NCDOT Rail Division Director Jason Orthner said. “We’re in the midst of that project right now and we believe that project will do a significant amount of work to improve safety.”
NCDOT expects the project to be completed in time for next year’s State Fair.
It’s an improvement some fairgoers are already looking forward to.
“It’s definitely tricky [crossing the tracks],” Jessica Melowski, a mother of two young children, said. “Especially pushing the stroller across with the little ones. I’m very excited for [the Blue Ridge Road project] to be done to have a safer path to take.”
Railroad crossing safety tips
NCDOT is urging people to use caution at railroad crossings. As part of its BeRailSafe campaign, the agency offers these safety reminders:
- Railroad tracks are private property. Trespassers can be arrested or fined under North Carolina law.
- Never walk or ride a bicycle on or near railroad tracks. Tracks are not a shortcut.
- The only safe and legal place to cross railroad tracks is at a designated public crossing marked with a railroad crossing sign, flashing red lights or a gate.
- A train traveling at 55 mph can take more than a mile to stop — more than 18 football fields.
- Never drive around lowered crossing gates. It’s illegal and dangerous.
- Never stop a vehicle on railroad tracks. When waiting for a train, stop safely behind the white line.
- If your vehicle becomes stuck on the tracks, get out immediately and call the number on the blue-and-white emergency sign posted at the crossing.
