Source: NCDOT, 9/6/19

The Freight Rail & Rail Crossing Safety Improvement (FRRCSI) program provided matching funds for a track modernization project at the Port of Wilmington which was completed in July 2019. The project was developed as part of an intermodal rail strategy between NC Ports and NCDOT's Rail Division. The project reconstructed Tracks 1 and 18 to expand intermodal service at the Port. These tracks are dedicated to building intermodal trains on the Port terminal.

The Queen City Express (QCE), NC Port's intermodal rail service between the Port of Wilmington and Charlotte, started operations in July 2017. The service was designed to be a once a week round-trip service between Wilmington and the NC Ports intermodal facility in Charlotte. The service was so successful that in July 2019 the NC Ports and CSX finalized an agreement to offer a new, expanded intermodal product. The Track 1 and 18 intermodal rail project is one of several infrastructure projects which will support intermodal capabilities at the Port.

Daily intermodal service to Charlotte from the Port expands the market available to the Port's current customers and the presence of a viable intermodal service has been a catalyst for attracting new ocean carriers to the Port. In fiscal year 2019, more than 4,000 containers were moved by QCE. The service is projected to move 11,000 containers this fiscal year, growing up to 15,000 containers by fiscal year 2022. This translates into environmental and cost savings, safety for the traveling public and also congestion savings across the state.

"North Carolina Ports is proud to partner with NCDOT on critical infrastructure projects like the Track 1 and 18 intermodal rail project. This important project will have many immediate and long-term benefits including job creation, improved safety, and economic development growth," said Paul J. Cozza, Executive Director, North Carolina Ports.

FRRCSI projects such as this help make North Carolina businesses more competitive by reducing transportation costs, enhancing supply chain efficiency and reducing highway congestion by diverting freight to rail.