A published reported today says CSX will not built an Intermodal Terminal in Rocky Mount after all. CSX had considered locations near Selma and Four Oaks in 2016 but because of public backlash instead selected a site in Rocky Mount.
Trains.com says CSX plans to end container sorting at its terminal in North Baltimore, Ohio by November 11th. The report also says CSX will not build the $270 million Carolina Connector.
The developments according to the news report are part of CSX CEO E. Hunter Harrison’s decision to improve efficiency and profitability.
The Ohio terminal was the second busiest terminal for CSX in 2016, processing more than 809,000 containers.
The Carolina Connector was designed to process cargo in the Mid-Atlantic Market handling an estimated 500,000 containers annually.
CSX would not confirm Harrison’s plan not to build the Rocky Mount terminal. NC transportation officials said they were unaware of the projects cancellation.
Instead of building the terminal, CSX will focus in 2018 on Precision Scheduled Railroading as part of the plan to improve efficiency, the article says.
As recently as July, CSX was touting the North Carolina site, and had even discussed building a terminal near Atlanta.
Trains.com claims after the North Baltimore, Ohio Intermodal terminal closes this month, plans are being made for BNSF Railway, Canadian Pacific and Union Pacific to use the site as a “block swapping terminal” according to their sources.
On Jan. 16, 2016, CSX announced plans to build the Carolina Connector terminal beside I-95 between Selma and Micro in Johnston County, generating up to 1,500 jobs by 2019. The plans were later scuttled by the railroad after facing opposition from local property owners and some local elected officials. Rocky Mount was selected on July 19, 2016 as the new site.
WTSB has reached out to CSX officials for a comment on the report. We will update the story if we receive any comments.
