A state grant has been awarded for a $1.2 million rail project that will support operations at the Port of Wilmington, according to state officials. 

Wilmington Terminal Railway is providing the matching funds for the grant at 50% of the project cost, said Katie Trout, marketing and communications project manager at NCDOT, in an email. The state grant award is $600,000.

The 50% state grant match for the Wilmington project is part of $16.7 million in matching grant funds being awarded as part of NCDOT's Freight Rail and Rail Crossing Safety Improvement program, stated a news release. In total, 17 short line railroads and their infrastructure will benefit from the funds.

The work at the Wilmington terminal will support rail operations on port property, including the growing business of shipping containers by rail, Trout said.

"The project will upgrade the Port of Wilmington lead track, which serves the loading and unloading of shipping containers on rail cars and is critical for the long-term growth of this traffic for the Port," Trout said. "The project includes new switch installations, installation of new rail and crossties, installation of new ballast and surfacing of track."

NCDOT's Freight Rail and Rail Crossing Safety Improvement program supports rail infrastructure in the state and enables the state to partner with rail companies on improvement projects, according to the release.

"This partnership helps railroads meet customer needs in an efficient and cost-effective manner while also preparing them for growing service demands and partnerships with new businesses and industries across the state," stated the release.