Symposium held to discuss potential passenger rail from Wilmington to Raleigh

BURGAW, NC (WWAY) — For years, the Historic Burgaw Depot was the center of commerce and travel for people living in Burgaw.

Tuesday night, many gathered here for a meeting to learn more about a plan that would restore passenger service from Wilmington to Raleigh. One of those stops could be a rail station running through Burgaw. Gene Merritt with Eastern Carolina Rail, a nonprofit that wants to make the rail link a reality, said that the history of rail in Burgaw is rich.

“This station you’re in right now is the oldest rail station in North Carolina so, rail built Burgaw, if you will. It’s very important I think and it would be a very positive outcome if we could get rail back here,” Merritt said.

In addition to Burgaw and Pender County, there would be train stops in Duplin, Wayne, Johnson and Wake counties. A feasibility study for the project is expected to be released soon and a $500,000 grant could be issued in November or early December

“This is one of 12 corridors that we’ve applied for across the state, this one connecting Raleigh and Wilmington. If we are successful with the program, it will provide some initial funding to begin the scoping of the project. Then we can determine the timeline and what it takes to get there,” said Jason Orthner, NCDOT Rail Division Director.

While many at this meeting appeared to be on board with the project, some expressed concerns over taxes, noise issues and the need for parking. Merritt says while he understands those concerns, there would be a lot of benefits of returning rail passenger service to the Cape Fear.

“To be able to get on a train with a computer and go to a football game in Raleigh or do business. Then, come back at night and have a drink in the club car, what’s wrong with that?” Merritt said.