Ohio Governor Strickland, Congressman Latta, and CSX Chairman Ward Break Ground for Northwest Ohio Intermodal Terminal
North Baltimore, OH — August 14, 2009 — Ohio Governor Ted Strickland, Congressman Bob Latta and CSX Chairman, President and CEO Michael Ward today broke ground for a new intermodal terminal in North Baltimore, Ohio, which will support the efficient and environmentally beneficial movement of containers between rail and truck.
The new Northwest Ohio Intermodal Terminal will employ more than 200 people when fully operational in 2011 with 400 more jobs to be created during the construction phase. Over the next 10 years, more than 2,600 direct and indirect jobs will be created as a result of the facility. The terminal will serve as the distribution hub for anything that can be bought at a retailer — from household electronic equipment to clothing. The facility is the cornerstone of the National Gateway, a $840 million, multi-state infrastructure initiative aimed at creating an efficient and environmentally friendly freight link between the Mid-Atlantic ports and the Midwest.
“This is a great opportunity for northwest Ohio to play a major role in the nation’s vital freight transportation network, while creating jobs and boosting the economy of the region,” said Strickland. “This terminal will reinforce our state’s position as one of our nation’s leaders in transportation and logistics.”
“This project represents real stimulus with lasting economic benefits,” said Latta. “We believe it is a model for public-private cooperation and an example of how infrastructure expansion and job creation go hand-in-hand.”
“Our nation is becoming increasingly aware of the economic and environmental benefits that railroads offer,” said Ward. “The Northwest Ohio Terminal, as part of the National Gateway, will greatly expand our ability to deliver those benefits both regionally and nationally.”
The National Gateway is a public-private partnership that includes CSX and its affiliates, large and small business interests, logistics companies, environmental advocates, federal, state and local governments and economic development agencies. Over a 30-year period, the initiative will lower CO2 emissions by over 12 million tons, save businesses over $3.5 billion in shipping costs, reduce fuel consumption by nearly 1 billion gallons, and reduce congestion on the highways.
In Ohio, the National Gateway program anticipates $30 million in federal funding, $30 million in state funding, and a $175 million investment by CSX and its affiliates. The total investment will create nearly $700 million in public benefits — more than $10 in benefits for every $1 of public money invested.
Public funding will be used primarily to raise the clearances under bridges and tunnels, enabling the movement of double-stack railcars. These rail cars allow each train to carry twice the load — significantly reducing fuel use, air pollution, carbon emissions, and highway congestion. Private funding from CSX and its affiliates will be primarily dedicated to building state-of-the-art, environmentally friendly terminals, like the one to be built here in Northwest Ohio.
The Northwest Ohio Terminal will be built and operated by Evansville Western Railway Inc. of Paducah, Ky., an affiliate of CSX.
To learn more about the National Gateway, visit www.nationalgateway.org.
CSX Corporation, based in Jacksonville, Fla., is a leading transportation company providing rail, intermodal and rail-to-truck transload services. The company’s transportation network spans approximately 21,000 miles with service to 23 eastern states and the District of Columbia, and connects to more than 70 ocean, river and lake ports. More information about CSX Corporation and its subsidiaries is available at the company’s web site, www.csx.com.
Contact:
CSX
Gary T. Sease
1-877-835-5279
National Gateway
Richard VanOrnum
1-857-991-1045