The Port of Wilmington will receive more than $6 million to expand truck parking, freight staging capacity and operational infrastructure.
According to a news release from U.S. Rep. David Rouzer, the $6,002,296 federal grant was awarded through the U.S. Department of Transportation's Infrastructure for Rebuilding America program and will support improvements at the port in New Hanover County.
The project includes construction of 140 commercial motor vehicle parking spaces, 50 freight container staging positions and "secure and smart operations infrastructure."
“The Port of Wilmington connects Southeastern North Carolina to the world. As freight demand continues to grow, these improvements will help move goods more efficiently, strengthen our supply
chains, and support the businesses, workers, and communities who rely on the port,” Rouzer said, in the release. “I’m pleased to see this investment come to our community, which will help ensure the Port of Wilmington can continue to support economic growth across the region.”
According to the announcement, the improvements are expected to help the port manage increasing freight volumes, expand truck parking and container staging capacity and reduce delays through more efficient coordination of pickups and deliveries.
Port project aims to support freight growth
Brian Clark, executive director of the North Carolina State Ports Authority, said the investment supports the port's long-term goals and customer service strategy.
"This award and the associated projects work in concert to propel North Carolina Ports to achieve its winning aspiration of being the Southeast’s most trusted, preferred, efficient, customer centric gateway by providing seamless, diversified total cost-advantage solutions for customers, bolstering North Carolina’s economy," Clark said in the release. "We appreciate Congressman Rouzer’s ongoing support."
The Port of Wilmington serves as a key transportation hub for southeastern North Carolina, connecting businesses with domestic and international markets. According to the news release, the project is intended to help the port meet future freight demand while supporting continued economic activity across the region.
About the INFRA grant program
The Infrastructure for Rebuilding America program, also known as the "Nationally Significant Multimodal Freight & Highway Projects program," provides competitive grants for freight and highway projects of national or regional significance.
According to the release, the program supports projects designed to improve the safety, efficiency and reliability of moving freight and people through rural and urban areas. Funding is made available through the Multimodal Project Discretionary Grant combined Notice of Funding Opportunity.
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This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Port of Wilmington awarded $6 million for upgrades
