What is an intermodal terminal and why build one?
Intermodal is one of the fastest growing methods of transporting freight in the United States. It consists of the movement of truck trailers and shipping containers by both highway and rail, taking advantage of the economic and environmental efficiencies of trains for long haul movement, and the speed and reach of trucks for local pick-up and delivery.

All kinds of products, from raw materials to consumer goods, are transported intermodally. Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Ford, Honda, The Limited, UPS and the US Postal Service are among the many large users of intermodal transportation. Major trucking companies such as J. B. Hunt and Schneider are also large users, as are shipping companies calling at ports on both coasts. Norfolk Southern, one of the two large railroads east of the Mississippi, is involved in intermodal transportation to a substantial extent.

The availability of intermodal service is becoming a major factor for many transportation-dependent companies when they look for locations in which to locate or expand. The construction of this intermodal terminal in central Ohio will contribute to the generation of jobs, will reduce the cost of shipping to and from the area and contribute to the economic growth of central Ohio.

Why Rickenbacker?
Intermodal transportation requires terminals where trailers and containers can be efficiently transferred between rail and highway. Many companies in central Ohio already use intermodal services, however, the closest intermodal terminal at Discovery Park was over capacity and had inefficient highway access. The intermodal terminal at Rickenbacker provides efficient access and economic benefits to intermodal users/shippers within the existing industrial parks located near Rickenbacker and to shippers throughout central Ohio. The presence of intermodal terminal will reduce long-haul truck trips across Ohio’s highways and allow area companies and consumers to benefit directly from intermodal transportation, thereby attracting additional shippers and economic development to the area. The intermodal terminal also connects central Ohio to the port at Norfolk,VA via the Heartland Corridor.

How will the trucks access the intermodal terminal?
Truck traffic from the intermodal terminal can use Rickenbacker Parkway to access existing industrial warehouses, I-270, SR 317, US 23 and US 33.

For more information about this project, contact David Whitaker, Vice President of Business Development & Communications, at (614) 239-5028 or via email at dwhitaker@ColumbusAirports.com.