(The following story by Douglas Watson appeared on The Greeneville Sun website on July 16, 2009.)
GREENVILLE, Tenn. — Norfolk Southern has tentatively decided to construct a transfer station for its intermodal freight trains — which carry containers placed on trailers that then are pulled by trucks — to a 280-acre site in Jefferson County, a company spokesperson said in an interview this week.
Robin Chapman said the railroad is thinking in terms of a site 3.5 miles west of New Market, some 20 to 25 miles from Knoxville.
He said a 175-acre site in Greene County along Interstate 81 across from the present truck weigh station had been considered, but is now out of the running.
Chapman said a key factor that favored the Jefferson County site is that it is closer to Knoxville than is Greene County.
For a number of years previously Norfolk Southern operated a small intermodal station in Greeneville, along Snapps Ferry Road.
REGIONAL BENEFIT
Don Cason, president of the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce, said in an interview this week that the planned intermodal station is not only good news for Jefferson County “but will benefit the whole region.”
Chapman said Norfolk Southern plans to have the intermodal “piggyback” transfer site start operating in 2013.
Cason said the intermodal site is expected initially to employ 77 to 125 people.
He said it also is expected to attract industries wanting to locate nearby, with estimates such industries could generate 1,500 to 1,800 more jobs.
He said, “It is looking good for Jefferson County,” but then cautioned that until the intermodal station is constructed, nothing is for certain because “things can change.”
Chapman said that in addition to the intermodal station, Norfolk Southern is tentatively planning to develop a 400-acre adjacent industrial park that would be built later.
A public hearing on the proposed intermodal site was held in Jefferson County on July 2. That session drew proponents and opponents.
However, Cason said Jefferson County officials and business leaders are solidly supportive of Norfolk Southern’s plans there.
Chapman said the proposed 175-acre Greene County site is a good one and offers future “opportunies for industrial development.”