CN, Indiana Rail Road open Indianapolis intermodal terminal

Indiana Gov. Mike Pence and Indiana Rail Road Co. (INRD) President and Chief Executive Officer Tom Hoback helped mark the opening of a new intermodal terminal yesterday in Indianapolis by driving a locomotive through a ribbon.

The Senate Avenue Intermodal Terminal represents a multi-million-dollar investment by INRD and CN to serve Indiana shippers who move goods to and from Asia. INRD and CN plan to provide an all-rail service for trans-Pacific containerized freight moving from Canadian ports in Vancouver and Prince Rupert, British Columbia, to Indianapolis, that will bypass congested Chicago terminals.

Located less than a mile south of downtown Indianapolis, the terminal features a U.S. Customs-bonded container yard and is designed to handled up to 24,000 containers annually.

"[This is] a landmark moment for the Indiana business community, and not just importers and exporters," Hoback said at the event, according to a press release. "Having an intermodal facility near the heart of Indianapolis is an excellent economic development tool for the city and state, which translates to job growth."

The railroad partners have marketed to Indiana importers a total transit time goal of as little as 20 days from Asia to Indianapolis, once portside volume-based efficiencies "reach critical mass," INRD and CN officials said.

"CN is pleased to be part of this supply chain story with INRD. CN's objective is to be a true supply chain enabler through its agenda of operational and service excellence," said Jean-Jacques Ruest, CN's executive vice president and chief marketing officer. "This helps our customers compete more effectively in their own markets in North America or abroad."