A bill filed to restore railroad tracks from Wallace to Castle Hayne and run an additional line to the Port of Wilmington now has full support from New Hanover County’s contingent in the N.C. House.
Rep. Ted Davis (R) has added his name to the bill’s list of co-sponsors following its filing on Thursday. Its primary sponsors include fellow New Hanover Reps. Susi Hamilton (D) and Rick Catlin (R).
The bipartisan proposal would direct the N.C. Department of Transportation to find $65.2 million to revitalize and restore the existing rail line between Wallace and Castle Hayne and fund a line from Castle Hayne to Wilmington. (Related story)
The lines could improve business prospects through reduced transportation costs and may enhance foreign trade promotion efforts, Catlin said last week.
The bill would also tell the Joint Legislative Transportation Oversight committee to study any other possible improvements to the state’s transportation infrastructure for the military’s benefit. That may involve the movement of “military personnel and equipment from bases to North Carolina facilities, such as the North Carolina State Ports, that could be used for overseas deployment.”
Contact Ben Brown at [email protected] or (910) 772-6335. On Twitter: @benbrownmedia
