Florida ports advance rail facility plans

The Tampa Port Authority yesterday announced it signed a letter of intent with Green Express to develop an on-dock transload facility at the Port of Tampa that will be operated by CSX Transportation.

The railroad will provide two dedicated express trains per week to move refrigerated and dry products from Tampa to the Chicago/Kingsbury, Ind., area in 56 hours. Iowa Pacific Holdings, which operates nine U.S. short lines and operates a fleet of refrigerated box cars, will provide refrigerated box cars for the Green Express train.

"CSX is proud to support the trend toward more rail shipments of fresh produce by offering a creative and flexible pipeline from the farm to the table," said Belinda Hess, CSX's director of marketing for food and consumer products, in a press release.

The rail service and facility will target international shippers, domestic retailers and exporters that require fast, efficient supply-chain solutions for their operations, said Tampa Port Authority and Green Express officials.

"This service supports our efforts to make the Port of Tampa a major gateway for the Florida market and beyond," said Paul Anderson, the authority's president and chief executive officer.

Meanwhile, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will provide the Port of Panama City, Fla., a $900,000 grant to help fund the construction of an intermodal cargo transfer facility in the state's panhandle region.

Grant proceeds will help pay for access roads, a lay-down area and a 20-car rail intermodal cargo transfer facility for bulk products.

FDOT also will provide a $1.4 million grant to Keystone ILC to build 2,100 feet of track and a cargo transfer facility near the Port of Jacksonville, as well as grants for the South Florida Logistics Center in Miami and Port Manatee Commerce Center in Palmetto.