Feature

Norfolk Southern to build freight hub at CLT airport, relocating from NoDa

Posted on 29 Mar 2012 by Justin Ruckman

Great news for Charlotte, the airport, and freight-conjested NoDa!

Norfolk Southern Corp. and the city of Charlotte became business partners Wednesday, signing a lease that paves the way to add a freight center at Charlotte Douglas International Airport.

The freight hub, known in the industry as an intermodal facility for its combination of transportation (rail, ship, truck and air), will open late next year. Construction will begin in April.

Mayor Anthony Foxx signed a lease between the city and the railroad Wednesday afternoon at the Government Center. Terms call for Norfolk Southern to pay construction costs ($74.3 million) as well as $1 million per year in rent to the airport. The intermodal facility costs include $15.7 million in state and federal funds.

“The city of Charlotte is, even more, in the manufacturing, distribution, transportation and economic growth business,” Foxx said. “This is a big deal.”

Over the next 20 years, the city anticipates the intermodal hub will generate $9 billion in economic impact and create 5,000 jobs. Aviation Director Jerry Orr said the benefits extend beyond financial gains. By relocating Norfolk Southern’s 40-acre facility from North Davidson and North Brevard streets uptown, the center city will be relieved of 500 tractor-trailer trips each day, he said.”

Read more by Erik Spanberg at the Charlotte Business Journal.