Carolina Connector back on table with NCDOT agreement

A rendering of what the future Carolina Connector may look like.

CSX

The planned intermodal terminal known as the Carolina Connector (CCX) looks to be moving forward following an agreement reached between the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) and CSX.

The agreement is regarding the building and operation of the Edgecombe County facility. The facility will see an investment of up to $118.1 million from NCDOT for site development and roadway construction.

“This facility will make Eastern North Carolina even more attractive to businesses looking to grow by offering a logistical solution to industry shipping challenges,” said NCDOT Secretary Jim Trogdon. “We are pleased to help bring this intermodal facility to Eastern North Carolina.”

The new facility will be built in Edgecombe County, as previously announced in 2016. Officials explain the CCX facility will help industry get products to customers and spur growth in the region. NCDOT also determined the facility would have an indirect impact of up to 1,300 jobs.

Once the contract is executed, site development work will begin with an anticipated completion date of 2020.

NCDOT officials explain that CSX had intended to build a “hub and spoke” facility in Edgecombe County, but put those plans on hold in November 2017, as the company reassessed its long-term business model. North Carolina officials have remained in contact with CSX to ensure the North Carolina site remained in consideration.

The newly envisioned site will be a traditional 330-acre intermodal site. Officials said the facility will serve many industries with efficient access to rail.

“Getting products to the customer is paramount to any business’s success,” said Carolinas Gateway Partnership CEO and President Norris Tolson. “We at the Carolina Gateway Partnership are pleased that the CCX intermodal site will provide another vital link in the logistics solutions offered for our customer base in the Twin Counties and all of Eastern North Carolina. Edgecombe and Nash counties will now truly be a gateway to markets throughout the eastern part of the U.S.”

The project was scored and evaluated per North Carolina’s data-driven process that allows NCDOT to invest available funds more efficiently and effectively to enhance the state’s infrastructure, while supporting economic growth, job creation and a higher quality of life.

This is the second rail-driven economic boost for the Edgecombe County in 2018. North Carolina Railroad Company announced in January that it would be investing $2.5 million in design and construction of a rail spur and storage tracks in the county for Triangle Tyre Co. Ltd.