Since this is a project that will easily rival the NS Heartland Corridor in size and scope, it deserves it's own thread.

 

CSX’s Clement on Northwest Ohio Intermodal Hub Rail Plans

 

Video at: http://www.joc.com/maritime/csx%E2%80%99s-clement-discusses-northwest-ohio-intermodal-hub-rail-plans-video

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20101113/NEWS16/11120396

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Article published November 13, 2010

 

Wood County intermodal site offers sneak peek of future

$175 million North Baltimore center covers 500 acres

 

By DAVID PATCH

BLADE STAFF WRITER

 

NORTH BALTIMORE, Ohio - Outside the simulator booth where Jamie Watkins sharpened her skills operating a mammoth freight-container crane Friday, the CSX intermodal terminal just west of town was still very much a thing of the future.

 

While two of its five huge gantry cranes, more than 100 feet tall and 300 feet across, performed test maneuvers during a media tour of the $175 million facility, most of the roughly 45 acres of concrete pavement on the Northwest Ohio Trans-Shipment Terminal site was empty.

North Baltimore, Ohio to be Midwest Hub as CSX Intermodal Corridor Project Gets Underway

ORDC Signs Series of Agreements to Get National Gateway Rolling from Ohio to East Coast

 

Columbus (Friday, December 16, 2010) – Ohio continues to grow as a critical hub and corridor for the world’s movement of freight with the signing of a series of agreements that allows engineering and construction to get underway on a key portion of the $183-million dollar, multi-state CSX National Gateway project.

 

The joint agreements involve CSX, the Ohio Rail Development Commission (ORDC) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Eastern Federal Lands Division as well as the states of West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Maryland. 

 

The news comes as CSX is about to open its new intermodal freight container yard at North Baltimore, Ohio, which will serve the National Gateway corridor.  The 500-acre, state-of-the-art facility is scheduled to officially open in the first quarter of 2011 and will employ approximately 200 full-time employees upon completion, with 60 positions to be filled by the January 2011opening according to the railroad.  Another 2,600 jobs could be spun off from the yard, according to a Cambridge Systematics study commissioned by CSX.

 

“CSX is committed to working with Ohio to make the National Gateway a reality. This critical infrastructure project will stimulate the State’s economy, create jobs and reduce carbon emissions,” said Louis Renjel, vice president of strategic infrastructure initiatives for CSX. “The clearance projects, coupled with the new state-of-the-art terminal in Northwest Ohio will revolutionize Ohio’s freight transportation system with increased capacity, efficiency and competitiveness.”

 

The initial portion of the National Gateway project will raise clearances to create a double-stack container rail corridor from Ohio through West Virginia, Pennsylvania and in to Maryland. In total, 40 clearance projects will be completed, including track lowering, bridge replacements, raisings or removals and work on several tunnels to create greater clearance for the taller double-stack trains.

 

CSX estimates the project will create 10,000 construction jobs.

 

It is also a project made complex by the fact it involves the private sector, the State of Ohio and several state governments and two federal agencies. But the ORDC’s structure is designed to engage in public-private partnerships from National Gateway to local rail spur projects that enable new and existing Ohio businesses to grow both business and jobs.

 

"ORDC’s structure allows us to play a critical role in the development of this project that once again reinforces the importance of Ohio's position in country's logistics and supply chains”, says ORDC Executive Director Matt Dietrich.  “We couldn't be happier with the partnerships we have established with CSX, the other states and FHWA EFLD.  Without this team effort, this project could not become a reality."

National Gateway Fact Sheet (courtesy CSX)

 

The National Gateway delivers nearly $1.7 billion of public benefits to Ohio by:

Reducing CO2 emissions by almost 2 million tons

Expanding rail market access potential for the State

Enhancing rail transportation infrastructure, including a new intermodal terminal in Northwest Ohio and planned terminal expansion in Columbus

Reducing the State's highway congestion by combining the efficiency of freight rail with trucking for a complete intermodal solution, saving nearly $70 million in highway maintenance costs

Saving over $350 million in logistics costs for the State

 

USDOT, Ohio finalize TIGER grant pact for National Gateway corridor

 

The U.S. Department of Transportation and Ohio Rail Development Commission recently reached an agreement governing the release of a $98 million Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant for work associated with CSX Corp.’s National Gateway intermodal initiative.

 

The TIGER grant will enable CSX and its partners to complete the first corridor project through northwest Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Maryland.

 

Full story at: http://www.progressiverailroading.com/news/article/USDOT-Ohio-finalize-TIGER-grant-pact-for-National-Gateway-corridor--25286

Already.... an outgrowth of the National Gateway Project...

 

Official: Stimulus funds for rail strengthen Erie Inland Port project

By GERRY WEISS

[email protected]

 

Nearly $100 million in federal stimulus money aimed at improving railroad freight movement from northwest Ohio through Pennsylvania will strengthen the proposed Erie Inland Port project and result in greater benefits to hundreds of the region's businesses, an economic-development official said Friday.

 

The Inland Port project, expected to begin construction by 2013, is an initiative to create a 200-acre intermodal transportation hub and business park that would link the region's railroads, ports and highways to handle the movement, distribution and warehousing of goods.

 

The Erie region's shippers, manufacturers and railroad companies stand to "benefit tremendously" from Thursday's agreement between the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Ohio Rail Development Commission, said John Elliott, chief executive of the Economic Development Corp. of Erie County.

 

Read more at: http://www.goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2010312179864

CSX double-stack route will create more than 50,000 new jobs, National Gateway partners say

 

President Barack Obama addressed the nation’s job and infrastructure investment goals during his State of the Union address last week, and National Gateway partners believe their intermodal corridor initiative can help fit the job-growth bill.

 

Fronted by CSX Corp., the National Gateway has launched projects that will support the president’s goals by expanding the flow of freight on a double-stack-cleared intermodal route between East Coast seaports and the Midwest, creating more than 50,000 new jobs over a 30-year period, gateway officials said in a prepared statement. Nearly 10,000 of the jobs are associated with the initial construction phase already under way.

 

Read more at: http://www.progressiverailroading.com/news/article/CSX-doublestack-route-will-create-more-than-50000-new-jobs-National-Gateway-partners-say--25638

 

CSX Opens Ohio Intermodal Hub

John D. Boyd | Feb 22, 2011 10:18PM GMT

The Journal of Commerce Online - News Story

 

CSX Transportation began operating its large, new intermodal terminal at North Baltimore, Ohio, which will be the western anchor of its National Gateway doublestack corridor.

 

The company will use the terminal near Toledo to route container traffic from East Coast ports into Midwest destinations of Chicago, St. Louis or other cities.

 

Read more at: http://www.joc.com/rail-intermodal/csx-opens-new-ohio-intermodal-hub

Feb 24, 2011

New rail yard operations begins

By LOU WILIN

and ERIC SCHAADT

for the review times

 

NORTH BALTIMORE -- The $175 million rail yard just west of North Baltimore, employing more than 200, has begun operations, CSX reported Tuesday.

 

CSX will be increasing shipments through the rail yard over the next few months. Eventually, 25 to 30 trains, with hundreds of rail cars, will pass through North Baltimore each day, seven days a week, Terminal Superintendent Peter Craig said.

 

At the "intermodal" yard, freight containers are moved between trucks and trains, and between trains and other trains. Intermodal means two or more modes of transportation are involved.

 

Full story at: http://www.reviewtimes.com/Issues/2011/Feb/24/ar_news_022411_story3.asp?d=022411_story3,2011,Feb,24&c=n

Kasich promises to build new road to CSX railyard

By LOU WILIN

STAFF WRITER

 

NORTH BALTIMORE -- Visiting the newly-opened CSX railyard Wednesday, Gov. John Kasich promised a new road to the railyard, bypassing North Baltimore.

 

Construction will begin by spring 2012, Kasich said. The precise location has not been determined.

 

The railyard is west of North Baltimore along Ohio 18. Trucks going to and from the railyard use the state route, which runs through the village and intersects Interstate 75.

 

Read more at: http://www.thecourier.com/Issues/2011/Mar/24/ar_news_032411_story1.asp?d=032411_story1,2011,Mar,24&c=n

Big news from CSX....

 

CSX Commits Additional $160 Million to National Gateway

 

Jacksonville, Fla. – May 18, 2011 – CSX announced today that it will invest $160 million over the next several years to complete one of the most important transportation projects in the country – the National Gateway. This project will deliver substantial public benefits, including thousands of jobs. This latest commitment by CSX will bring those benefits and jobs much sooner than would otherwise be possible.“Through the National Gateway, CSX and its public partners are working together to vastly improve the quality and flexibility of the eastern rail network,” said Michael J. Ward, CSX chairman, president and chief executive officer. “With today’s new $160 million commitment, CSX will have obligated a total of about $575 million over several years to better meet the needs of our customers, our states and our ports.”

 

Total project costs are approximately $850 million, and state and federal partners are investing more than $280 million to help secure the substantial public benefits of the National Gateway. These public partners recognize that investing in the quality of the transportation infrastructure is essential for American competitiveness.

 

The National Gateway investment will be made over several years and, taken together, represent one of the largest project investments in company history. The amounts are included in the company’s long-term capital plans.

 

Most of the $160 million investment announced today will expand and improve the century-old Virginia Avenue Tunnel in Washington, D.C. and provide double-stack train clearances in Maryland, West Virginia and the District of Columbia.

 

Supporting ports and businesses. The project will move more of CSX’s customers’ freight on double-stack trains between the Midwest and the Ports of Baltimore, Virginia, and Wilmington. This will be especially important as the Panama Canal expansion brings more traffic through these ports.

 

Supporting communities.  The National Gateway will bring jobs and infrastructure improvements to communities while taking trucks off the highways. In the first 30 years of operation, it is expected to create 50,000 jobs and convert more than 14 billion highway miles to rail, saving many millions of dollars of highway maintenance costs.

 

Supporting the environment. Trains can move one ton of freight nearly 500 miles on a single gallon of fuel, and double-stack trains traveling along the National Gateway can deliver twice as many goods on one trip. The National Gateway could avoid nearly 2 billion gallons of fuel consumption and 20 million tons of CO2 emissions in the first 30 years of operation. 

 

"The completion of the National Gateway and Virginia Avenue Tunnel will help improve the flow of rail traffic through the District and the region, and we will be working with CSX to minimize the impact of the construction on our residents and neighborhoods," said Terry Bellamy, interim director, District Department of Transportation.

 

“The National Gateway will positively impact Maryland's economy, transportation system and environment,” said Maryland Transportation Secretary Beverley Swaim-Staley. “We have been proud to partner with CSX on this initiative and today’s announcement is another significant demonstration of their commitment to Maryland. It will allow Maryland to compete globally while creating jobs and growing the economy locally.”

 

Sean T. Connaughton, secretary of transportation for the Commonwealth of Virginia, said, “The National Gateway, with its improvements to the Virginia Avenue Tunnel, Kilby Yard and along the I-95 rail corridor, will open new business opportunities for the Port of Virginia and position the Commonwealth to be even more competitive in the global economy. The improvements on this corridor will also help address highway congestion and complement Virginia’s passenger rail initiatives.”

 

About the National Gateway

 

The National Gateway is an innovative infrastructure project that will improve the flow of freight rail traffic throughout the eastern United States by increasing the use of double-stack trains, creating a more efficient rail route between Mid-Atlantic ports and Midwestern markets. This award-winning public-private partnership will clear 61 obstructions and build or expand six intermodal facilities along CSX’s network in North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio and the District of Columbia that together make up the National Gateway. The National Gateway is supported by a broad and diverse group of more than 300 public and private sector organizations and individuals. For more information visit www.nationalgateway.org.

 

 

About CSX

 

CSX, based in Jacksonville, Fla., is one of the nation’s leading transportation companies, 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 240 short line and regional railroads and more than 70 ocean, river, and lake ports. More information about CSX Corporation and its subsidiaries is available at www.csx.com.

CSX had sought public funding for the WDC tunnel project. I guess they got tired of waiting. Without this tunnel offering double-stack clearance, access to the port at Portsmouth, VA doesn't happen, and the full potential of the National Gateway Corridor won't be realized.

Gee. If only CSX hadn't decided to scrap the entire Parkersburg Sub, which had just undergone extensive renovations just a few years prior - eliminating or reworking tunnels, rebuilding track...

I don't understand. How do you get from Portsmouth, VA to the Parkersburg Sub without going through the Virginia Avenue tunnel? Unless I'm missing an alternate route, I don't think you can.

 

And why is the Parkersburg Sub, that was downgraded/abandoned starting in the early 80s, relevant to the National Gateway Corridor? Even though the Parkersburg Sub had newly clearances for tri-level auto racks, that's still not high enough for the tallest double-stack trains of today.

http://www.dot.state.oh.us/Divisions/Rail/NewsReleases/Pages/AdditionalCSXFundingforNationalGatewayProjectSolidifiesOhio%E2%80%99sConnectionstoEastCoastPorts.aspx

 

 

Ohio Rail Development Commission •  News Release

1980 West Broad Street • Columbus, Ohio 43223

Website: http://www.rail.ohio.gov

 

Additional CSX Funding for National Gateway Project Solidifies Ohio’s Connections to East Coast Ports

 

Columbus (Thursday, May 19, 2011) – The announcement of an additional $160-Million in CSX funding for the National Gateway Project is being hailed as great news for Ohio.  Most of the $160 million investment announced late Wednesday will expand and improve the century-old Virginia Avenue Tunnel in Washington, D.C. and provide double-stack train clearances in Maryland, West Virginia and the District of Columbia.

 

“This is a huge development toward solidifying the intermodal freight connection to East Coast ports for Ohio businesses”, says Ohio Rail Development Commission Executive Director Matt Dietrich. “Coupled with the recent opening of the state-of-the-art CSX intermodal yard at North Baltimore, today’s announcement deepens an investment that puts Ohio at the hub of moving freight in both North America and the global market.”

 

It was just last December that joint agreements for the initial phase of the project were signed between CSX, the ORDC and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Eastern Federal Lands Division as well as the states of West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Maryland.  That initial phase raises clearances to create a double-stack container rail corridor from Ohio through West Virginia, Pennsylvania and in to Maryland. In total, 40 clearance projects will be completed, including track lowering, bridge replacements, raisings or removals and work on several tunnels to create greater clearance for the taller double-stack trains.

 

Some of that work is already underway in Ohio. The work to improve vertical clearances under bridges and through tunnels effectively doubles the freight capacity of the rail line.

 

Dietrich credits the rapid progress of the National Gateway to fielding a solid project team.

 

"ORDC’s structure allows us to engage in this type of public-private partnerships that play such a critical role in the development of this project”, says ORDC’s Dietrich.  “We couldn't be happier with the relationships we have established with CSX, the other states and FHWA EFLD.  Without this team effort, this project could not become a reality."

An opinion echoed by CSX.

 

“Through the National Gateway, CSX and its public partners are working together to vastly improve the quality and flexibility of the eastern rail network,” said Michael J. Ward, CSX chairman, president and chief executive officer. “With this new $160 million commitment, CSX will have obligated a total of about $575 million over several years to better meet the needs of our customers, our states and our ports.”

 

For more information contact:

Stu Nicholson, ORDC Communications,

at 614-644-0513 or

[email protected]

 

 

Sorry KJP, had my lines mixed up.

No problemo.

Side note: Is there a map outlining the National Gateway project like the Heartland Corridor? I'm having trouble picturing this line's route for some reason.

You are right. Detailed, high-quality maps of the National Gateway Corridor aren't easy to find. Here's what I did find....

 

 

 

An old route map for the B&O Chicago-Washington mainline through Northeast Ohio (the double-track east-west route).....

 

Here's one of my maps. Here it is the thicker blue line....

That is pretty much all I found. Not even CSX's own National Gateway site has information, but I did put in a request for a more detailed map.

An interesting story....given that CSX plans to extend the reach of the National Gateway project to Columbus....

 

 

CSX expansion could be boost for west side

 

Business First - by Adrian Burns

Date: Friday, May 27, 2011, 1:39pm EDT

 

If CSX Corp. winds up expanding its intermodal operations in Columbus, more jobs and development could be on the way.

 

As I reported in this week’s Columbus Business First, the company bought 31 acres of land next to its Buckeye Yard facility on the west side and has begun clearing it. The work has some in the local logistics industry speculating that CSX (NYSE:CSX) is moving ahead with long-held plans to grow its terminal operations.

 

Read more: http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/blog/2011/05/csx-expansion-could-be-boost-for-west.html

CSX plans rail yard open house

 

NORTH BALTIMORE -- CSX is ready to show off its new intermodal rail yard near North Baltimore.

 

A public open house will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday (June 28th) at the yard, 17000 Deshler Road, North Baltimore.

 

Gates will open at 10:30 a.m.

 

Read more at: http://www.thecourier.com/Issues/2011/Jun/22/ar_news_062211_story4.asp?d=062211_story4,2011,Jun,22&c=n

CSX terminal shows off for its neighbors

2,000 visit North Baltimore site, watch big cranes transfer freight

BY DAVID PATCH

BLADE STAFF WRITER

 

 

NORTH BALTIMORE, Ohio -- Laid off several years ago from his job as a metal fabricator at an automotive-industry supplier Chad Main was one of the statistics from that sector's rapid retrenchment during the economic slump that has hammered northwest Ohio.

 

But CSX Transportation Corp.'s decision in 2006 to build a massive freight-transfer terminal in Wood County's Henry Township tossed a financial lifeline to Mr. Main and scores of others in the area.

 

Mr. Main found work as a heavy-equipment operator for Nicholas Savko & Sons Inc., the contractor CSX hired to build the $175 million facility starting in late 2009. Now the North Baltimore resident is staying on with CSX itself, operating the cranes and other machines that shift freight-laden containers from one train to another or between trains and trucks.

Read more at: http://www.toledoblade.com/local/2011/06/29/CSX-terminal-shows-off-for-its-neighbors.html

CSX adds another link to it's National Gateway network...

 

CSX Investing $15 Million for New Intermodal Terminal in Louisville

 

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - August 1, 2011 - CSX announced today that a privately-funded $15 million, 34-acre intermodal terminal will be constructed in Louisville, Kentucky. The terminal, which is slated to begin operations in early 2012, will provide efficient, economical and environmentally-friendly rail intermodal service to customers and consumers in the greater Louisville area.

 

The new terminal will be built and operated by CSX Intermodal Terminals and will employ about a dozen people. When it opens, the new terminal will provide inbound and outbound daily train service connecting through the company's Northwest Ohio Intermodal Terminal to markets across CSX Transportation's (CSXT) broader 21,000-route mile network.

 

From there, shipments will connect to service destined throughout the country. The initial train service will be designed to capture the immediate market demands of the Louisville area and provide capacity for growth as business demands.

 

The new facility is between CSXT's Osborne Yard and the Louisville Industrial Center near Louisville International Airport. Trucks serving the terminal are expected to use I-65, the Outer Loop and National Turnpike.

 

The terminal development project includes the installation of new track, pavement, drainage, gates for inbound and outbound containers, and the refurbishing of two buildings for use as office facilities.

 

"CSX consistently looks to provide quality rail service for the regions it serves," said Wilby Whitt, president of CSX Intermodal Terminals. "We have a long and proud history of helping Kentucky's economy thrive, and we believe this new facility will help increase the benefits available to businesses and residents in the greater Louisville region."

 

Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer said the announced investment by CSX is welcome news for the local economy.

 

"CSX's private investment in a new intermodal terminal in Louisville is good news on many fronts," Fischer said. "It is a statement of confidence in the region's economy by a private sector company, it will create jobs, and it will further strengthen the region's transportation infrastructure, providing businesses access to more efficient, cost-effective transportation."

 

 

About CSX

CSX Corporation, based in Jacksonville, Fla., is one of the nation's leading transportation companies, 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. CSX's network connects more than 240 short line and regional railroads and more than 70 ocean, river, and lake ports. More information about CSX Corporation and its subsidiaries is available at www.csx.com.

 

Contact:

Robert Sullivan

1 (877) TELL-CSX

CSX needs to spend a little more money fixing its tracks rather than building new ones! They dumped an intermodal train in Niles, near Youngstown, on Saturday. And last spring they dumped a mixed freight in Newton Falls, just west of Niles. They will derail more trains in that area because the tracks pump mud at many locations and the rails look serpentine....

That's part of the National Gateway route and it is slated to see a lot of track work and bridge replacements & removals.

I wonder if the route involves the Short Line between Louisville and Cincinnati. It's a great track - two tunnels were recently removed, but it's single track for almost the entire length and near capacity.

Scroll up to the story I posted yesterday about CSX's newly planned intermodal yard at Lousiville.

Niles Fifth Street Bridge Comes Down After Derailment

 

The one-lane Fifth Street bridge in Niles has come down.

 

A CSX train derailed Saturday and hit the bridge. Forty-three cars jumped the tracks leaving boxcars scattered under the bridge and tracks.

 

A CSX team from Dover spent the day removing debris Sunday. CSX officials said the tracks could be repaired as early as today.

 

Read more and see video of demolition at: http://www.wkbn.com/content/news/local/story/Niles-Fifth-Street-Bridge-Comes-Down-After/RJjq7VlExUSiFOFBVcUkPw.cspx

Scroll up to the story I posted yesterday about CSX's newly planned intermodal yard at Lousiville.

 

Oh sorry. For some reason, I thought that this was another terminal point for a project on the likes of the Heartland Corridor (NS).

I wonder if the route involves the Short Line between Louisville and Cincinnati. It's a great track - two tunnels were recently removed, but it's single track for almost the entire length and near capacity.

This question is still relevant to the discussion.  So which line will CSX be using to get from Louisville to North Baltimore?  I would think they would want to avoid the bottleneck at Queensgate but I am not familiar with any lines that could bypass Cincinnati.  Do they have a connection from Louisville to Indy that can handle double stacks?

There is the Indiana Sub of the Louisville Division for CSX that runs on tracks from Cincinnati west to Seymour, Indiana without crossing the Ohio, then south via the Louisville & Indiana Railroad to Louisville. The tracks from Cincinnati to Seymour, which were in pretty bad shape after traffic declined in the 1990s and 2000s, is being rehabilitated.

 

I suspect it could use that and the Short Line.

CSX Release

 

CSX to Invest $59 Million for Intermodal Terminal Expansion in Columbus

Capacity project extends the National Gateway further into Central Ohio

 

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – August 29, 2011 – CSX announced today that a $59 million intermodal freight terminal expansion is underway in Columbus, Ohio.

 

This terminal expansion is part of the National Gateway initiative, linking deep water east coast ports with Midwestern markets.  The overall project covers six states and the District of Columbia and includes rail capacity enhancements and intermodal terminal capacity improvements.  Earlier this year, CSX opened the cornerstone of the National Gateway, a new $175 million intermodal terminal in Northwest Ohio.

 

“CSX’s goal is to consistently provide the highest quality transportation service for our customers,” said Wilby Whitt, president of CSX Intermodal Terminals. “We have a proud history of helping the Midwest thrive, and we believe this investment will help increase the benefits available in Central Ohio and beyond.”

 

The Columbus terminal expansion will ready the region with the capacity needed for anticipated growth in business and continue to enhance the economical and environmentally-friendly rail intermodal service offered to customers.

 

The terminal expansion, which is part of the company’s previously stated capital investment plans, includes a redesign of the site footprint, installation and realignment of tracks, reconfiguration of inbound and outbound truck gates, additional onsite parking, and three, high tech, rail-mounted, electric wide-span cranes.  This investment expects to create over 400 construction related jobs over the course of the project here in Columbus.

The wide-span cranes will operate with zero emissions and regenerate power back to the terminal grid or to the electric utility.

Columbus Mayor Michael B. Coleman said the announced investment by CSX is great news for the local economy, not to mention the state.

 

“CSX’s significant private investment in this expansion brings with it great opportunity for Columbus,” Mayor Coleman said. “This is a solid example of how Columbus continues to lead in economic development opportunities in Central Ohio. CSX’s investment strengthens the region’s transportation infrastructure, and provides our businesses with access to more efficient, cost-effective green transportation.”

 

Railroads are the most environmentally-friendly and energy efficient way to move goods on land.  On average, railroads are three or more times more fuel efficient than the alternative. Trains can also move a ton of freight nearly 500 miles on a single gallon of fuel. A single train can carry the load of more than 280 trucks.

 

About CSX

CSX Corporation, based in Jacksonville, Fla., is one of the nation’s leading transportation companies, 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. CSX’s network connects more than 240 short line and regional railroads and more than 70 ocean, river, and lake ports. More information about CSX Corporation and its subsidiaries is available at www.csx.com.

 

About the National Gateway

The National Gateway is an innovative infrastructure project that will improve the flow of freight rail traffic throughout the eastern United States by increasing the use of double-stack trains, creating a more efficient rail route between Mid-Atlantic ports and Midwestern markets. This award-winning public-private partnership will clear 61 obstructions and build or expand six intermodal facilities along CSX’s network in North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio and the District of Columbia that together make up the National Gateway. The National Gateway is supported by a broad and diverse group of more than 300 public and private sector organizations and individuals. For more information visit www.nationalgateway.org.

 

They should first invest $59 million, or more, into the quality of their existing tracks. Sometimes I think CSX doesn't want more passenger trains, like 3C, is because more of the general public would realize just how poorly CSX "maintains" its infrastructure.....

 

Well, you know that trains could once run 110 MPH between Columbus and Russell, Kentucky via the C&O - not that they ever did, but it was tested and proven. Even passenger trains would routinely run 65 MPH. Today, you are lucky to get a CSX train to go a constant 45 MPH on that flat, well engineered C&O line.

 

I think it was the Kentucky Cardinal that was short lived from 1999 to I think 2003, that had some sections that operated as low as 15 MPH for some significant stretches due to poor track conditions. That and freight movements had priority. The maximum speed on most of the line was only 30 MPH because of jointed rail - jointed rail that once could hold much faster speeds! It was not a shock that the line was not popular and replaced ultimately with buses.

Except that the Kentucky Cardinal ran via the shortline Louisville and Indiana Railroad. That was the notorious 30 mph section between Indianapolis-Louisville (Jeffersonville, IN), not CSX. The normal Cardinal route through Indianapolis and Cincinnati is mostly via CSX, which is probably what you were thinking of.

CSX Announces Significant National Gateway Progress Phase One is One Third Complete or Underway,

Project on Track for 2015 Completion

 

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - October 11, 2011 - CSX Transportation today announced that it has work completed or construction underway at one-third of the clearance projects included in the National Gateway, keeping the major American infrastructure initiative on track for completion by 2015.

 

The National Gateway is an innovative public-private partnership that will create a double-stack freight rail corridor between Mid Atlantic sea ports and the Midwest. The improvement projects are designed to increase the vertical clearances at 61 locations on CSX rail lines in the region to accommodate intermodal trains carrying double-stack intermodal containers.  To date, work is complete at five of the locations, and crews are working at 15 other locations. The progress to date means almost one third of the clearance projects are completed or underway for the National Gateway's phase one, which spans an existing rail corridor between North Baltimore, Ohio and Chambersburg, Pa.

 

The projects already completed include bridges in Hyndman and Chartiers Creek, Pa. which were modified for double-stack usage. In Coraopolis, Pa., CSX worked closely with local officials to ensure the safe and efficient removal of an antiquated pedestrian bridge. At the request of local officials, the aging structure was not replaced. Similarly, CSX worked closely with city officials in Akron, Ohio to remove the previously closed Park Street overpass. In Niles, Ohio, CSX removed a damaged and antiquated overhead highway bridge and is constructing a new, modern replacement structure.

 

CSX has begun work on other projects in its phase one of construction, with five tunnel improvement projects underway in Confluence, Pa.; Hansrote, W. Va.; and Magnolia, Md. where tunnel linings are being modified to provide the necessary clearance for passage of modern, double-stacked freight rail containers.

 

In Ohio, CSX is also raising four highway bridges and lowering the tracks at three others to improve clearances.

 

Other bridges in Kent and Ravenna, Ohio, and Paw Paw, W. Va. are being replaced with modern, new structures.

 

CSX recently announced that it will invest an additional $160 million to complete the National Gateway. The investment brings CSX's planned private investment in the critical infrastructure project to about $575 million over several years.  One of the nation's largest transportation projects, the National Gateway will create more than 50,000 jobs over a 30 year period by creating a more efficient intermodal network and expanding double-stack capabilities, which increases the amount of freight that can be transported on a single train.  CSX is targeting a 2015 completion date for the project to coincide with the expansion of the Panama Canal, which is expected to bring more traffic through East Coast ports.

 

"We are pleased to invest in these projects that will improve America's transportation infrastructure, helping create jobs and cleaner, more efficient freight transportation," said Louis Renjel, vice president of strategic infrastructure initiatives, CSX Transportation. "Over the next few years, the National Gateway will move forward aggressively to invest in strategic freight rail infrastructure that will prepare our nation for continued growth and competition in the global economy."

 

CSX Corporation, based in Jacksonville, Fla., is one of the nation's leading transportation companies, 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. CSX's network connects more than 240 short line and regional railroads and more than 70 ocean, river, and lake ports. More information about CSX Corporation and its subsidiaries is available at www.csx.com.

 

To learn more about the National Gateway, visit www.nationalgateway.org .

 

 

Contact:

Robert Sullivan

1 (877) TELL-CSX

CSX marks National Gateway "midway point"

Written by  Douglas John Bowen

 

 

CSX Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer Michael J. Ward Tuesday joined federal, state, and local officials from Pennsylvania to mark the midway point of progress on the first phase of projects for the National Gateway, the $850 million public-private partnership designed to improve freight rail traffic flows between the Midwest and the East Coast.

 

The officials marked the occasion at Pittsburgh's SouthSide Works, where the $13 million J&L Tunnel project will soon become the latest Phase One project to increase the vertical clearance on CSX rail lines to accommodate trains carrying double-stack intermodal containers.

 

Phase One is creating double-stack rail access between CSX's state-of-the-art intermodal terminal in northwest Ohio and its new modern intermodal terminal in Chambersburg, Pa. It is scheduled for completion next spring.

 

Read more at:http://www.railwayage.com/index.php/intermodal/csx-pennsylvania-celebrate-national-gateway-phase-one-progress.html?channel=48#.UIgscml26Fc

Railroad initiative nearing completion

 

Published: Sun, November 18, 2012 @ 12:00 a.m.

By Jamison Cocklin

[email protected]

 

YOUNGSTOWN----An $850 million investment to improve railroad infrastructure across Ohio and allow more freight from ports in the eastern part of the country to pass through the Midwest is nearing its completion date of spring 2013.

 

CSX Corp., which operates more than 4,000 miles of track in the Buckeye State, first launched the National Gateway initiative in partnership with the federal government, which committed to match millions in private funding in 2008.

 

Since then, CSX has worked to expand rail capacity across six states to improve the flow of freight on much of its system by allowing double-stack freight cars to travel on it.

 

In the Mahoning Valley, a new $1.4 million composite steel bridge was constructed in Niles, and an abandoned railroad bridge between the Mahoning River and Mahoning Avenue was removed as part of the project.

 

Read more at:  http://www.vindy.com/news/2012/nov/18/railroad-initiative-nearing-completion/