W.Va. rail project, another victim of poor economy

A lousy economy and lack of interest have forced the West Virginia Public Port Authority to postpone plans for the Prichard Intermodal Terminal, the Associated Press reports.

Norfolk Southern donated 78 acres for an $18 million terminal the
state hoped to develop. In April, the authority issued a request for
proposals.

But on Thursday, the authority said only one proposal
came in last week.

The terminal was to provide westward rail
service between Prichard and Chicago via Columbus, Ohio.

To the
east, it would provide double-stacked rail service to the Virginia Port
Authority.

Transportation Secretary Paul Mattox says he believes
the concept is good, but private investment companies aren’t willing to
take risks right now.

He says the project will be readvertised
later.