NC Ports Awarded $11 Million Grant to Relocate Port of Wilmington’s North Gate

Wilmington, N.C. – The North Carolina State Ports Authority will receive a nearly $11 million grant to support the relocation and optimization of the Port of Wilmington’s North Gate. The grant was awarded by the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) through the Maritime Administration’s FY2023 Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP).

These funds will support NC Ports’ North Gate Relocation and Access Optimization project, which will move the North Gate port entrance to the designated truck route and away from neighborhood streets.

This project will eliminate truck delays and congestion at a very active railroad crossing. It will also bring the port entrance closer to the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge and the national highway network.

“This project aligns with our long-term vision to provide safe and efficient access to the Port of Wilmington, ultimately enabling port growth while reducing bottlenecks and truck emissions,” said Brian E. Clark, Executive Director, North Carolina State Ports Authority. “Our team is very appreciative of the strong support from our congressional delegation, especially Representative David Rouzer.”

Improvements to South Front Street, funded for construction in 2027 via the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), will complement this project by widening the roadway from two lanes to four lanes and relocating the rail to minimize rail crossings. Together, these projects will close the gap of the first and last mile to and from the Port of Wilmington.

“This project will greatly improve the port-user experience and the movement of goods for existing general cargo customers,” Clark said. “The new port entrance will also allow our team to accommodate projected volume growth while laying a foundation for future expansion.”

Plans also include the construction of a new badging office that will provide EV charging infrastructure, a truck queuing and cargo control area and a vehicle/ truck turnaround area.

The PIDP grant, totaling $10,950,805, will fund 38% of the $28,472,092 project. NC Ports will provide the remaining funds.

The North Gate Relocation and Access Optimization project has support from neighboring communities, transportation partners and NCDOT.

About North Carolina Ports

With deepwater port locations in Wilmington and Morehead City, plus an inland port in Charlotte and intermodal rail access through CSX’s Carolina Connector (CCX) in Rocky Mount, North Carolina Ports links the state’s consumers, businesses and industries to world markets. Our ports also serve as magnets to attract new business and industry to the State of North Carolina. Port activities contribute statewide to more than 87,700 jobs and $678 million each year in state and local tax revenues.

North Carolina Ports continues in its commitment to meet and exceed industry standards while increasing efficiency. This commitment positioned the Port of Wilmington at the top of the latest S&P Global – World Bank Container Port Performance Index (CPPI), ranking it as the most productive port in North America and the 44th most productive globally.