A quick look at a map of active rail lines in North Carolina shows a missing link from Castle Hayne in northern New Hanover County to Wallace in Duplin County.

The 27 miles of missing track – pulled up in the 1980s after CSX Transportation abandoned it – leaves a huge swath of Southeastern North Carolina without adequate rail service. The hole impacts the region's ability to recruit new industry and serve military, agriculture and other interests in Southeastern North Carolina, officials say.

"You don't have opportunity for economic development in those areas like you would in other areas of the state," said Patrick Simmons, director of the state's Rail Division, part of the state Department of Transportation.

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(David) Dorfman added that military traffic is inconsistent, with large volumes during wartime but much lower volumes in peacetime. He said economic justification for the project would have to be made by civilian freight and perhaps passenger rail service.

Simmons said the now-abandoned section of track might be restored if the state resumes passenger rail service to Wilmington. The state applied for federal stimulus funding to do that but was unsuccessful.

If funding is received for passenger service, then the tracks can be used for freight as well, Simmons said.