CSX announced recently that a $59 million intermodal freight terminal expansion is underway in Columbus, Ohio. This comes after the company also bought 47 acres next to the new SunCoke Energy Inc. facility in Middletown earlier this year.

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: National Gateway

SOURCE: CSX Corporation