Maryland, CSX assess double-stacked intermodal sites near Baltimore

AMERICA's CSX railway and the state of Maryland is in the midst of selecting a site for a new 70-acre intermodal facility to bring in double-stacked container trains more efficiently, reports the Baltimore Sun.


Four possible sites have been located along the Interstate 95 highway in Anne Arundel, Howard and Prince George's counties. A dozen have already been evaluated. The site must be south of the Howard Street tunnel that does not provide the necessary clearance for double-stacked trains and be close to a major highway and adjacent to the CSX Camden Line.


The four most likely sites that met "first cut" approval will now undergo further evaluation under the process outlined by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).


This federal law requires extensive study and public comment, including environmental and economic impacts, as well as impacts on neighbouring communities.


An intermodal facility south of Baltimore will enable double-stacked container trains to move to and from Midwestern markets.


Without such a facility, Maryland's economic landscape would change dramatically. Existing businesses would be cut off from national and international customers. New business and jobs will simply avoid coming to Maryland, said the report.


The intermodal transfer facility will be an important part of Maryland's National Gateway Initiative, a public-private partnership among the federal government, six states, the District of Columbia and CSX to jointly fund height clearance and related-rail projects to create a double-stacked freight network serving east coast and Midwest markets.


The new facility is expected to deliver more than US$2 billion in public benefits to Maryland and the Baltimore region, including $450 million in reduced logistics costs for shippers, $87 million in savings from reduced wear and tear on highways, $121 million in savings from fewer highway accidents and $50 million in savings from reduced congestion.
(Source:http://www.schednet.com)