BNSF, CSX plan intermodal corridor between West Coast, Southeast

BNSF, CSX plan intermodal corridor between West Coast, Southeast    BNSF Railway Co. and CSX Corp. Thursday announced a joint plan to create a high-volume rail corridor for intermodal services connecting California with Atlanta and the rest of the Southeast region.
   The service is slated to start early next year, initially with two intermodal trains each day between the West Coast and Southeast in each direction.
   To support the planned service, BNSF will expand capacity on its rail lines connecting Avard, Okla.; Memphis, Tenn.; and Birmingham, Ala. CSX Transportation will expand its rail line between Birmingham and Atlanta, as well as its intermodal terminal in Fairburn, Ga., near Atlanta.
   The initial capacity projects, primarily comprising sidings and terminal expansion, are expected to be completed by the end of 2007.
   The agreement also allows for the two railroad’s continued interline rail service between Memphis and Florida, as well as improved connections with the Carolinas and other key Southeast destinations.
   “BNSF is pleased to work with CSX and provide our customers with a direct BNSF market access and service product for the growing Southeast markets centered on Atlanta,” said John Lanigan, executive vice president and chief marketing officer of BNSF. “Additionally, we are pleased that the agreement provides the future opportunity for BNSF to establish an Atlanta-area intermodal facility on CSX to provide our customers more options for their Southeast growth.”
   “This agreement enables CSX to provide more seamless and reliable service to our intermodal customers. It also complements CSXT’s ongoing capacity expansions in our Southeastern markets and positions us to handle additional intermodal freight as import and domestic demand continue to rise,” said Clarence Gooden, CSX Corp.’s executive vice president, sales and marketing.