CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. — At a National Gateway coalition event hosted by CSX Chairman and CEO Michael Ward, Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell announced his support for the National Gateway’s goal of creating a state-of-the-art, double-stack transportation corridor connecting manufacturing centers in the Midwest with deepwater ports on the East Coast.
The event was held at a CSX Intermodal Terminal in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, that serves as a key transportation link connecting shippers with both truck and rail service.
“This terminal is a prime example of the kind of economic growth that comes from investing in our infrastructure,” said Governor Rendell. “I will do my part as Governor, but states cannot address these needs alone. I look forward to a national partnership so we can design and implement strategies for smarter, environmentally-friendly, more cost-effective infrastructure investment such as through groundbreaking public-private partnerships.”
The National Gateway is a public-private partnership that includes CSX, large and small business interests, logistics companies, state and local governments, and economic development agencies.
“The challenge of meeting our nation’s surface transportation needs is too big for any single industry — never mind any single company — to accomplish independently,” said Michael Ward, chief executive officer for CSX. “The partnership you see here today exemplifies the future of our nation’s transportation infrastructure.”
A 2007 study commissioned by the Association of American Railroads estimated that investments of $148 billion will be required over the next 27 years to meet the projected growth in demand for rail freight transportation.
The National Gateway plan envisions another new intermodal terminal in the greater Pittsburgh area in the future.
In addition to stimulating Pennsylvania’s economy, overall, the National Gateway will lower CO2 emissions by over 4 million tons, save businesses over $2 billion in shipping costs, reduce fuel consumption by nearly 500 million gallons, and reduce congestion on the highways by moving 2 million intermodal containers by rail, rather than over-the-road.
— PRNewswire
