CSX addresses proposed Baltimore intermodal facility's health impacts, acquires Tampa phosphate terminal and announces promotions

CSX Transportation's proposed intermodal facility at Mount Clare Yard in Baltimore could worsen air quality and cause other health issues for the surrounding community, according to a health impact assessment released by the National Center for Healthy Housing (NCHH).

Construction is slated to begin in fall on the Baltimore-Washington Rail Intermodal Facility, which is part of CSX's National Gateway intermodal initiative. NCHH conducted the assessment to evaluate the facility's impacts on air quality, noise, traffic, home valuations and employment.

Measures that CSX, state and city agencies can pursue to better protect public health include additional studies and long-term monitoring of air and noise pollution; the installation of barriers or vegetation to help reduce air, light and noise emissions; the enforcement of designated truck routes; and construction of sidewalks and other infrastructure to help shield pedestrians from increased truck traffic, NCHH officials said in a press release.

CSX and the Maryland Department of Transportation last year selected the Mount Clare Yard site from among four proposed locations for the facility. NCHH officials plan to conduct a meeting with CSX representatives on Sept. 18 to review residents' concerns.

"Residents living near the Mount Clare Yard expressed concerns about the impact of the facility on their neighborhoods. They were also concerned that no one seemed to be looking at the health implications of the project," said Rebecca Morley, NCHH's executive director.

CSX officials plan to review the NCHH's assessment. In 2009, the state of Maryland requested that the Class I move its intermodal terminal from the Seagirt Marine Terminal to allow for expansion of marine terminal capacity, and the Class I since has continued to work with the state, city of Baltimore and local community as it develops plans for a relocated terminal, CSX officials said in a prepared statement.

"After receiving feedback from communities and public officials, CSX modified its plan for the relocation last year, moving the proposed site from a proposed greenfield location to a brownfield site at an existing rail yard in the city's Morrell Park area," they said. "The proposed site was chosen after Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake invited CSX to look for a location in the city. The facility would be located in an industrially-zoned area and promote jobs and economic development for the city and the region."

As part of the planning process, CSX officials have met regularly with community, business and other public leaders, and community feedback led to design modifications that will minimize the facility's residential traffic impacts, CSX officials said.

"CSX has a solid record of contributing to communities and of developing facilities that help those communities and regions grow and prosper while encouraging the use of environmentally beneficial rail transportation for the movement of goods," they said.

Meanwhile, CSX announced yesterday that it purchased the Eastern Associated Terminal in Tampa, Fla., from the Ingram Barge Co. The phosphate export facility is adjacent to the Class Is' Rockport terminal on Tampa Bay.

CSX plans to call the combined facilities the Rockport Terminals. The facilities are located on more than 300 acres and feature more than 25 miles of track, warehouse space, loading systems and capacity for 1 million additional export tons.

As a result of the acquisition, CSX added 12 positions for terminal operations to Rockport’s current staff of 25. The railroad also named Shantel Johnson-Davis, who has led CSX’s phosphate sales and marketing efforts in Tampa, assistant vice president and general manager of phosphates and fertilizers to lead both commercial activities and operations at Rockport Terminals.

In other sales and marketing personnel moves, CSX promoted Tim McNulty to AVP of agricultural, food and consumer products; Michael Rutherford, to AVP of industrial products; and Andy Strok, to AVP of the automotive service group.

In addition, CSX named Benoit Miserany VP of industrial and agricultural products. As a sales director, he will coordinate several customer and commercial efforts in Canada. Miserany most recently was senior account manager of forest products for CN.