NORFOLK, Va., Aug. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Norfolk Southern (NYSE: NSC) announced today that it will construct a new intermodal terminal in Greencastle, Pa., to serve the Mid-Atlantic region, as part of the railroad's multi-state Crescent Corridor initiative to establish a high-speed intermodal freight rail route between the Gulf Coast and the Northeast. The $95 million facility, at which freight moving in containers and trailers will be transferred between train and truck, will occupy a 200-acre site adjacent to the planned Antrim Commons Business Park and is expected to open in late 2011.
"Because of its strategic location to key markets in the Mid-Atlantic region, the new Franklin County terminal is vital to the success of our Crescent Corridor," said Wick Moorman, Norfolk Southern's chief executive officer. "We commend Gov. Ed Rendell for his efforts to provide state funding for our intermodal terminal initiatives in Greencastle and Philadelphia. We also want to thank Sens. Robert Casey and Arlen Specter, and Rep. Bill Shuster for their support of a public-private partnership with the U.S. Dept. of Transportation so that Pennsylvania will benefit from the economic development opportunities and job growth potential of integrated logistics hubs. We also want to express our gratitude to the rest of the Pennsylvania and Maryland members of Congress who are supporting the Crescent Corridor, including Roscoe Bartlett, Bob Brady, Charlie Dent, Jim Gerlach, Tim Holden, Patrick Murphy, and Todd Platts. Finally, we must recognize the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and the Franklin County Area Development Corporation for their tremendous support in moving this project forward."
"Rail freight is an important component of any transportation infrastructure discussion," Governor Edward G. Rendell said. "This facility will create good jobs, generate revenue, and help reduce highway congestion. Pennsylvania has invested heavily in rail freight because it is a smart, environmentally friendly, cost-effective infrastructure investment. I will continue to advocate for rail freight investments at the state and national level."
Norfolk Southern's Crescent Corridor initiative is a multistate network of infrastructure improvements and other facilities intended to enhance Norfolk Southern's 2,500-mile rail network that supports the supply chain from the Gulf Coast and Memphis to Harrisburg, Philadelphia and the New York metropolitan area and enable it to handle more freight traffic faster and more reliably. The railroad is in the process of implementing Corridor projects, including straightening curves, adding passing tracks, improving signal systems, and building new terminals.
