Draft:Eastern Carolina Rail

Eastern Carolina Rail is a nonprofit organization with the goal to restore rail passenger service from Wilmington to Raleigh, NC. The project has received public support. The project intends to create opportunities for the State Port in Wilmington and other commercial entities along the proposed route, to serve nearby counties and municipalities. According to Steve Unger, one of the co-founders of Eastern Carolina Rail, stated it could take a period of seven to twelve years for the rail line to be completed and made operational. The estimated total cost of the project is over $300 million, with 20% of it coming from local and state contributions, and the remaining amount being funded by the federal government.

The organization is led by Wilmington entrepreneurs Gene Merritt and Steve Unger, have undertaken public petition to assist the NC Department of Transportation in making passenger rail service possible from Raleigh to Wilmington through a private/public undertaking designed to create awareness.

Liza Macam, the communications officer of the Rail and Integrated Mobility Divisions at the N.C. Department of Transportation, mentioned during an interview with WNCT news on February 21, 2024 that Eastern Carolina Rail had increased awareness about the development of passenger rail service in North Carolina. Macam added that they are an independent group that talks to communities about their interests, separate from the N.C. DOT.

Steve Unger, co-founder of Eastern Carolina Rail, announced that a Florida-based engineering firm named WGI Inc. has produced a feasibility study for a proposed passenger train service route project from Wilmington to Raleigh in southeastern North Carolina.

History and Organization
Eastern Carolina Rail is a non-profit corporation incorporated under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and is led by Gene Merritt and Steve Unger, both entrepreneurs from Wilmington. Merritt previously led the organization that drove the extension of I-40 from Benson to Wilmington which focused on promoting economic development and revitalizing downtown Wilmington. Unger was referred to as the brain behind the U.S. 17 Hampstead Bypass, which is currently under construction.

Founders
Eastern Carolina Rail is headed up by Wilmington entrepreneurs Gene Merritt and Steve Unger.

Warsaw
February 20, 2024, Eastern Carolina Rail, The Town of Warsaw, and the Warsaw Chamber of Commerce held a public meeting at the Warsaw Community Center to discuss a transit line that would connect Raleigh and Wilmington. It was discussed that the project is expected to be completed within the next seven to twelve years. The idea for this transit line was first proposed in 2005 by the North Carolina Department of Transportation, which conducted a study on the potential passenger line. Gene W. Merritt, the Vice President of Eastern Carolina Rail stated that the increasing usage of passenger rail in North Carolina over the last few years is an encouraging sign that motivates them to continue their efforts. . Eddie McFalls, a consultant for the NC Department of Transportation Rail Division, provided an update on the state's NC By Train plan. Gene Merritt of Eastern Carolina Rail also spoke. The plan called for up to three daily trains between Raleigh and Wilmington, with speeds up to 80 mph, making the trip in under three hours.

Burgaw
In Burgaw on October 23, 2024, Gene Merritt stated the transportation infrastructure in the city of Wilmington has not kept up with the increasing growth and demand of people. Merritt mentioned smaller towns along the rail, such as Burgaw, Wallace, and Warsaw, would benefit from having stops in their areas, which would help improve their social and economic development.

Wallace
On November 28, 2023, Eastern Carolina Rail held a public rail symposium at the Wallace Community Center (Wallace Women's Club), with guest speaker Eddie McFalls, PE, Strategic Initiatives Consultant with the NC DOT Rail Division.

Goldsboro
In Goldsboro, on May 1, 2024 an announcement by Eastern Carolina Rail stated that the Goldsboro route from Raleigh to Wilmington is estimated to save around $170 million in project costs and reduce travel time between Wilmington and Raleigh by approximately one hour when compared to the proposed Fayetteville route.