The National Gateway and Virginia

The National Gateway proposes a state-of-the-art rail corridor linking the East Coast's international deepwater ports and major consumption markets with the population and manufacturing centers of the Midwest. With improved clearances, new terminals and greater capacity, the National Gateway will improve the flow of freight by rail, enhancing Virginia's consumer options and augmenting the Virginia Port Authority's ability to handle goods going to and coming from world markets.

While the route structure is already in place, the National Gateway will provide the necessary capacity, facilities, and equipment for highly efficient, environmentally-friendly advanced rail service. Funding for development will come from both public and private sources, with public benefits of $22 expected for every $1 of public money invested.

Expanding capacity on our nation's railways will bolster environmental health and promote economic growth. The National Gateway delivers almost $600 million of public benefits to Virginia by:

  • Reducing CO2 emissions by nearly 2 million tons
  • Expanding rail market access potential for the State by 141 percent
  • Enhancing rail transportation infrastructure to attract new business and jobs
  • Reducing the State's highway congestion by shifting freight from over 1.4 billion freight truck miles to rail, saving nearly $70 million in highway maintenance costs
  • Saving over $350 million in logistics costs for the State

More Rail Options:
The National Gateway will provide competitive intermodal service between Virginia ports and Midwest metro areas. A new Northwest Ohio transfer yard and double-stack clearances will improve existing service and expand freight shipping options between Virginia and Midwest markets by 141 percent.

Highway Relief:
By creating an additional freight transportation option, the National Gateway will reduce traffic congestion and lower highway maintenance costs. One train can carry the load of more than 280 trucks, clearing space for over 1,100 cars. The National Gateway will shift over 1.4 billion freight truck miles from Virginia's highways to rail. Any effort to shift freight from highways to railways greatly improves safety, the environment and traffic.

Logistics Savings:
By expanding rail access and providing new shipping options, the National Gateway is expected to reduce overall freight shipping costs on goods entering and leaving Virginia by over $350 million.

Emission Reductions:
Over the first 30 years, the National Gateway will reduce CO2 emissions in Virginia by nearly 2 million tons. This is approximately 10 percent of the total project reduction of almost 20 million tons. The National Gateway's environmental benefits in Virginia can be measured in a number of different ways:

  • Reduces CO2 emissions by almost 2 million tons
  • Reduces fuel consumption by over 200 million gallons of gasoline
  • Saves the equivalent emissions as taking over 350,000 cars off the road
  • Eliminates the same amount of carbon sequestered by more than 50 million tree seedlings growing for 10 years