N Baltimore intermodal a go

NORTH BALTIMORE, Ohio - An $80 million intermodal project in North Baltimore that has been in the development stage for the past year, was finally given the green light.

Gov. Ted Strickland, Congressman Bob Latta, and CSX Chairman Michael Ward broke ground during a ceremony Friday for a new Northwest Ohio intermodal terminal and railyard.

The terminal site is expected to be one of the most environmentally friendly terminals in the world.

"This is a great opportunity for northwest Ohio to play a major role in the nation's vital freight transportation network, while creating jobs and boosting the economy of the region," Gov. Strickland said. "This terminal will reinforce our state's position as one of our nation's leaders in transportation and logistics."

The new Northwest Ohio Intermodal Terminal, which was to have started construction this past January but was delayed, will employ more than 200 people when fully operational in 2011 with 400 more jobs to be created during the construction phase. Over the next 10 years, more than 2,600 direct and indirect jobs will be created as a result of the facility.

"This project represents real stimulus with lasting economic benefits," Congressman Latta said. "We believe it is a model for public-private cooperation and an example of how infrastructure expansion and job creation go hand-in-hand."

The facility is the cornerstone of the National Gateway, a $840 million, multi-state infrastructure initiative aimed at creating an efficient and environmentally friendly freight link between the Mid-Atlantic ports and the Midwest.

"Our nation is becoming increasingly aware of the economic and environmental benefits that railroads offer," said Ward. "The Northwest Ohio Terminal, as part of the National Gateway, will greatly expand our ability to deliver those benefits both regionally and nationally."

It will also provide additional transportation and use more double-stack trains that can import and export more cargo.

The terminal will run through Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania and other states.

The Northwest Ohio Terminal will be built and operated by Evansville Western Railway Inc. of Paducah, Ky., an affiliate of CSX.