Page 31 - Port of Baltimore Magazine Oct/Sept 2013
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September/October 2013
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The Port of Baltimore
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T
he planning process
for the proposed
intermodal container
transfer facility at the
existing CSX Mount
Clare rail yard is nearly done —
and, if approved, the facility should
be completed by 2015 and begin
operating by 2016.
“The current schedule still
projects a 2015 opening,” said
Leif A. Dormsjo, Deputy Secretary
of the Maryland Department of
Transportation (MDOT). “However,
the schedule for a project of this
complexity and with so many de-
velopment partners is, by its very
nature, dynamic.”
The two-year construction
phase is not expected to create any
service interruptions for customers.
Following the selection of the
Mount Clare site, CSX continues
to work closely with the City of
Baltimore, State of Maryland and
community and business leaders
on plans to transform the existing
rail yard into an intermodal facility
that features the latest in cutting-
edge technology.
The proposed facility will allow
cargo that moves through the Port
of Baltimore to be loaded onto
double-stacked trains, effectively
bypassing the antiquated Howard
Street railroad tunnel. The
tunnel, built in 1895, is too low
to accommodate double-stacked
containers. The world has changed
considerably since that tunnel was
built, and containerized cargo has
prompted the development of the
National Gateway, a track network
that can accommodate double-
stacked rail cars.
“The terminal will open new
markets for shippers through the
Port of Baltimore and will contribute
to improve efficiency throughout
the Mid-Atlantic region,” said Louis
Renjel, Vice President, Strategic
Infrastructure Investment, CSX.
When CSX was looking for
sites for the facility, Baltimore
Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake
supported the project and invited
CSX to explore city locations.
“Over the last several months,
CSX, along with the City of
Baltimore and MDOT, have engaged
in a high level of dialogue with local
property owners and stakeholders
to complete a number of planning
activities,” said Dormsjo. “These
activities include the completion of
planning-level design plans, traffic
impact study and other similar
activities.”
The plans now call for CSX to
expand the footprint of the existing
rail yard. The expansion will contain
a number of elements, including the
facility entrance; additional rail
lines; truck routing and parking; and
stormwater management facilities.
Development of the intermodal
terminal will create jobs and
economic development opportunities
throughout construction and
operation of the new facility.
Dormsjo noted that early in the
planning process, the surrounding
community expressed concern
that the original proposal for the
truck entrance would route trucks
through predominately residential
streets. After working with the City
in examining the alternatives, CSX
revised the project’s design to keep
trucks away from residential streets
and instead route them through
existing industrial areas.
The next step is permitting,
which is expected to take about
nine months, and then construction
could begin in early 2014. CSX has
chosen Milord as the design-build
contractor to develop the terminal.
As an additional benefit, by
relocating the intermodal facility,
the Port of Baltimore will be able to
redevelop the Seagirt property for
denser container storage.
“When completed, the new
facility will allow containers
coming into the Port of Baltimore
to travel on CSX’s double-stacked
National Gateway into Midwestern
markets currently much more
difficult to reach,” Dormsjo said.
“This Gateway project will increase
the attractiveness of the Port to
shippers seeking to reach these
markets. The benefit also extends
to exported containers originating
in these Midwestern markets and
leaving from the Port of Baltimore.”
Said Renjel, “CSX looks forward
to working with its shipping part-
ners, local business leaders and the
Port of Baltimore to fully leverage
this expanded gateway to the
import and export markets.”
Plans Continue For
Intermodal Facility With
Double-Stacking Capability
