AVERY COUNTY, N.C. – CSX states work is currently underway on the Blue Ridge Subdivision Recovery with crews pulling track materials out of the Nolichucky River.
On X (formerly Twitter), CSX announced the work was underway and that those interested in following the work can sign up for updates on the recovery process. According to the Class I, this is part of its recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene in the fall of 2024. Around 60 miles of the railroad between Tennessee and North Carolina suffered damage. Since February 24, 2025, crews have been operating in the river to remove rail, ties, and other equipment. CSX also stated that during this time, the river is “unsafe to traverse.”
It is working with the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, USDA Forest Service, U.S. Fish & Wildlife, and other agencies to ensure a smooth recovery of the area. Below is a map, courtesy of CSX, that shows the impacted area.
Crews are working to recover materials from the river in multiple phases. These include “damage assessment, recovery of track materials, site access, railbed construction, track reconstruction, track repairs, and final inspections, which all supports the return of freight rail service to this corridor.” However, with the railbed washed away, CSX had to rebuild the railbed on either side of the gorge’s eight-mile area in order “to close the gap between the two sides of the project.” Below is a video showing the rail reconstruction…