City approves $100K study on rail move

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — The Wilmington City Council approved the spending of $100,000 to look into possibly moving a rail line out of the city.

According to the City Council’s agenda, the entire study costs $300,000. The city is splitting the cost with the Department of Transportation and the Wilmington Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (WMPO).

The train system in Wilmington runs right through the city’s heart, and leaders say rail service is only going to increase in coming years.

City staff said they believe moving the CSX Rail Line across the river will  help reduce congestion and improve traffic safety in Wilmington.

They also suggested using the existing rail bed to create a trolley line.