Wilmington engineer has plan for another Love Grove access road

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — One engineer in Wilmington wants to give people who live in Wilmington’s Love Grove community another way in and out of their neighborhood after a train derailment blocked their only access June 28.

Ronald Sparks presented his plan to the Wilmington City Council Tuesday night. He said it will cost the city about $3.5 million to connect Stanley Street to One Tree Hill Way with a road and bridge.

It’s a plan Sparks said will be easier because the railroad operator, CSX, won’t have to be involved.

“The advantages of this one, this route, is no communication with CSX. When I worked for the city, the big hurdle was CSX won’t let us cross their land. CSX won’t let us do this … With this route, CSX is not involved,” Sparks said.

Two city council members spoke up in support of the plan. But, the council didn’t take any further action Tuesday.