Rail Hearings Across North Carolina During 2006
The first of a number of hearings on expanding freight and passenger rail
service in the state will be held in Wilmington, later this month. The
hearing, held by the NC House Select Committee on Expanding Rail Service, will
be at the North Carolina Ports Authority on Thursday, March 16th, beginning
at 10 a.m. After the meeting, the Committee will tour the port at 12:30 p.m.
During the meeting, testimony will be heard from CSX, Fort Bragg, the Ports
Authority, and others. Cities, counties, and Chambers of Commerce from
across the eastern part of the state are also expected to attend. For those
interested in the rail passenger possiblities down east, a large turnout
would be beneficial.
Some of the topics expected to be covered include freight service to Fort
Bragg (the base gets about 9000 carloads a year), increasing
intermodal traffic at the Wilmington port, plans for major expansion of port
operations which would lead to increased rail traffic into the area, and
possiblities for new freight and passenger operations into Wilmington, by
restoring a rail segment between Wallace and Castle Hayne.
CAPT encourages those in the area to go, and also spread the word to other
interested persons and organizations who have an interest in a balanced
transportation system that includes efficient and environmentally sound rail
service.
President - Martin Wheeler, Jr.
March 6, 2006
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