A pair of railroad-related incidents in Graniteville, South Carolina, has prompted Norfolk Southern to announce a realignment of its tracks through that community.

The $1.3 million project will allow the installation of new crossing flashers and gates at several downtown crossings and provide a safer environment for the railroad and motorists alike. The decision came after months of discussions among members of Aiken County's state legislative delegation; Norfolk Southern; Avondale Mills, a textile company at the heart of town; and the South Carolina Department of Transportation, in addition to the Federal Highway and Railroad administrations.

"It is a bit unusual to move tracks. It's not unheard of," Norfolk Southern spokesman Robin Chapman said.

The proposed upgrades are supposed to get under way in the next year and should take 18 months to complete, officials said. Norfolk Southern is funding $312,000 of the project; the state Department of Transportation is contributing $600,000; and the Aiken County Transportation Committee will contribute $350,000.

In all, Norfolk Southern is realigning about two-thirds of a mile of track near Canal Street, from Marshall Street north and past Ascauga Lake Road to South Carolina Highway 191. The realignment will provide more room for gates at the Ascauga Lake Road crossing, which is cramped between Canal Street and a canal that runs parallel to the street. Moving the tracks toward the canal is the only way to make room for two crossing arms without seizing private land, Mr. Smith said.