NCDOT Announces Results of Southeastern North Carolina Passenger Rail Study
In May 2001, North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) conducted a Southeastern North Carolina Passenger Rail Feasibility Study to determine interest in a Wilmington to Charlotte Route. The study found more interest in rail service between Raleigh and Wilmington and recommended further investigation specifically of routes via Fayetteville and Goldsboro.
A look into these projects began to bring Governor Easley's goal of "One North Carolina" to light. These back goals of promoting economic prosperity with an aggressive development strategy designed to bring high skilled jobs, a high-tech infrastructure and a quality transportation system to every region of North Carolina. A second study to evaluate the Fayetteville and Goldsboro routes was initiated in October 2001.
Merits and challenges present themselves with both routes. Tier rankings for counties are one to five with one being the most depressed. The University Route will benefit at least three counties that are Tier Two or lower. These include Robeson, Bladen and Columbus. The Goldsboro route will benefit only counties that are Tier Three or higher. The University Route will facilitate economic development in depressed areas by opening an east-west transportation alternative with a possible future connection to Charlotte. The Goldsboro route is missing approximately 27 miles of track from Castle Hayne to Wallace. A small segment of additional track needs to be installed outside the one mile extra-territorial jurisdiction of Pembroke to allow trains to make the turn to Wilmington.
Presently, trains traveling to Wilmington must travel through Hamlet or Selma then turn around to travel east. This is a significant challenge for Ft. Bragg who spends $3.2 million shipping to ports outside of North Carolina because easy access the Port of Wilmington does not exist. Even a small portion of this money can create significant economic development for many businesses along the route.
After carefully reviewing these factors NCDOT has recommended that intercity passenger rail services from Wilmington to Raleigh via Goldsboro AND Fayetteville be implement in phases as funds become available. NCDOT has advised that before passenger rail service could begin on any of the study routes, significant investment are required. Such capital investments demand a partnership among local, state, federal government and private entities. State funds are not available to support the level of investment required to implement new passenger service. NCDOT will continue to take measures to preserve the option of initiating service when funds are available.
While environment and economic impact studies have been conducted along the Castle Hayne to Wallace segment, these same studies have not been conducted in the area that require additional track outside of Pembroke.
As many of you know, the Cumberland County Business Council has met with Congressman McIntyre's office to discuss federal funding for a feasibility study to determine the best location of the track outside of Pembroke. Congressman McIntyre has committed to adding this as an earmark to the Transportation Appropriations Bill. Currently that bill has passed the House and is in the Senate awaiting a vote. It will then go to a conference committee where earmarks will be added.
The Cumberland County Business Council will continue to keep you updated on this matter and also encourage you to thank Congressman McIntyre for all of his work on this project as well.
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