g
RASSROOTS efforts by
residents, businesspeople
and community leaders
helped reignite the desire
to make use of the long deserted
5.9-mile rail bed and have been
the muscle in getting the greenway
started. Whether used by bicycling
or walking enthusiasts, historians,
art lovers, or proud Wilmingtonians,
the opening of a walkable connection
from the northside to all the amenities
downtown could be a great boon for
the area.
Planning takes time. The North
Carolina Department of Transpor-tation
(NCDOT) released survey
results in 2001 discussing the feasibil-ity
of passenger rail lines in South-eastern
North Carolina. The report
indicated there was strong interest in
rail from Wilmington to the North-east
and Raleigh. The pluses include
reduced air pollution, new economic
development, and alternate means of
travel for college students, business-people
and tourists. It could possibly
meet some freight needs for the Port
City as well. A station location is yet
to be determined.
The 2013 New Hanover County/
City of Wilmington Comprehensive
Greenway Plan introduced a rail trail
idea. One goal cited was “to ease
access from underserved communi-ties
of Northside and Love Grove to
the amenities blossoming in down-town.”
Survey results revealed almost
20 percent of Northside residents did
not have access to a car.
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24 may 2022
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