Join the discussion on the following article:
North Carolina locals, governor, apply brakes to CSX intermodal yard plans
Come erwin Tn we need CSX.
I’d bet the other states in the region are chomping at the bit to offer a spot for 1500 jobs. But then again, maybe not. It seems that unless it’s something “sexy” like a “Google” data center or something, they don’t really want it. Nobody wants something that means old school jobs like truck drivers and train crews and fork lift operators…
“The Selma site was carefully chosen…” Doesn’t sound too careful to me. Charlotte and Columbus, Ohio, have built intermodal yards as part of a larger institution such as a port authority or airport authority. The agency likes the income generated from the site and railroad likes having a modern yard without the property taxes. Other authorities have taken notice and have publically stated their desire for a railyard in their purview. CSX needs to find a local authority along I-95 willing to partner on such a project.
There’s plenty of open space in Virginia just north of the NC border, adjacent to I-95, with rail access to all of the port facilities in Portsmouth and Norfolk. I’ll bet Norfolk Southern has some land at Lambert’s Point they no longer need for coal traffic. This might be the ideal time to sell it off, what with expectations of increased container traffic once the Panama Canal expansion project is completed.
Intermodal yards offer extremely good paying jobs…this is not some oversized McDonalds paying minimum wage. These folks in NC are missing out on a good opportunity. Daniel Gurley, a spokesperson for the NC Ports Authority said, " We are actively looking for other locations in that area that will meet the criteria that CSX is looking for"…news flash here, they already found one. It wouldn’t surprise me is CSX bails out of NC entirely as far as looking for a new site. Bye bye jobs.
This is a good area. About 120 miles to Wilmington, 200 miles to Charlotte and 174 miles to Norfolk.
Dan Wheeler - If Norfolk Southern has some land at Lambert’s Point no longer needed for coal traffic, you can bet that they will be looking at retrofitting that terminal for increased container traffic before they even think of selling it to CSX, or any other entity.
Dan Wheeler, I agree. Emporia sits at the crossroads of I-95 and U.S.-58. The old NF&D ( NS’s Franklin District) runs from Emporia and connects with the NS Norfolk District at Suffolk, about 75 miles. At the moment this line is embargoed, and granted it would take a boatload of money to upgrade, but I’m pretty sure it could work. There is an enormous amount of container traffic that goes thru Emporia to and from Norfolk. Lambert’s Point sits next to the container port of NIT but it too could be reconfigured for this traffic.
Lot of good comments here, but I think Mr Berg. and Mr. Perkins have it ‘most right’ !
Move it to VA or somewhere else not in NC. Obviously NC doesn’t need the investment…or the jobs.
Are the charters under which the railroads no longer active for the Public Need and Convenience? When did the railroads lose their status as a Public Utility? Does competition from another carrier harm the public or the carrier?
Dumb Arses for turning away good jobs. Oh well…
Put it in another state and then withdraw as much resources as they can from North Carolinia.
Please move it to S.C on the Aline… lots of room by your Florence yard