Governor Rendell Joins Norfolk Southern CEO for Groundbreaking of Greencastle Intermodal Freight Yard

Project Promises Long-Term Boost for Pennsylvania's Economy

GREENCASTLE, Pa., Oct. 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ – Governor Edward G. Rendell today joined the chief executive of Norfolk Southern Corp. to mark the start of construction for a $95 million intermodal yard, a critical public-private partnership that will help support tens of thousands of jobs for Pennsylvania over the next decade.

Last August, Governor Rendell announced that the commonwealth will invest $45 million in the facility to leverage more than $50 million in private investments for this key component of Norfolk Southern's Crescent Corridor — a 2,500 mile rail network stretching from Mississippi through Pennsylvania, offering the nation another option to handle the growing freight movement needs.

Governor Rendell was joined by Norfolk Southern CEO Wick Moorman, U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster and state and local elected officials at the groundbreaking ceremony at a 200-acre site adjacent to the planned Antrim Commons Business Park.

"This project will help improve freight movement between the Gulf of Mexico and the northeastern U.S.," Governor Rendell said. "The terminal will create jobs locally and the eventual realization of the Crescent Corridor through Pennsylvania will boost our economy. The state is pleased to partner with Norfolk Southern on this job-enhancing, long-term infrastructure investment."

Norfolk Southern has applied for federal Recovery Act funding to help pay for similar upgraded intermodal terminals in Harrisburg and Philadelphia. The company's efforts over the past 10 years have helped attract $3.8 billion in investment and create 4,800 jobs.

"Improving rail freight makes a lot of sense when we are looking for ways to revitalize our economy and put people to work," Governor Rendell said. "The Crescent Corridor will help ease congestion on nearby Interstate 81 and help set the stage for future economic growth."

Over the next 10 years, 26,000 jobs in Pennsylvania are expected to be created or enhanced by the Crescent Corridor. The annual benefit to Pennsylvania when the Crescent Corridor is fully operational is expected to include saving nearly 10 million gallons of fuel by diverting more than 806,000 long-haul trucks to rail, reducing carbon dioxide by 106,000 tons, and generating savings of more than $33 million by reducing traffic congestion.

The investment in the Franklin County Regional Intermodal Facility will create the capacity to handle more than 85,000 containers and trailers annually using state-of-the-art terminal technology to reduce truck exhaust emissions.

Media contacts:

Rich Kirkpatrick, PennDOT; 717-783-8800

Gary Tuma, Governor's Office; 717-783-1116

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor