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PROJECT OVERVIEW
Palmetto Railways is working with the South Carolina Ports Authority to construct the Navy Base Intermodal Facility on a 118-acre site on the former Charleston Naval Complex. The Navy Base Intermodal Facility will allow the Charleston region to facilitate the movement of goods and commerce over rail within the state and throughout the Southeast region of the United States, stimulating economic development within the region and providing connections to key regional infrastructure.
The location of this facility takes advantage of its close proximity to the region’s transportation infrastructure, including major roadways and the South Carolina Ports Authority. In addition, this facility provides equal connectivity to the area for both of the state’s Class 1 rail carriers, CSX and Norfolk Southern.
The construction of this facility includes six different project elements. Use the interactive map below to get more details on each project component.
Palmetto Railways is a division of the South Carolina Department of Commerce.
One intermodal train can carry a load equivalent to 280 cargo trucks.
Intermodal trains can carry more cargo than other ground transportation by double stacking containers.
Direct interface with marine container terminals optimizes overall transportation efficiency.
Freight converted from highway to intermodal rail significantly reduces transportation costs.
PROJECT MAP
1 Northern Rail Connection
2 Cosgrove McMillan Overpass
3 Navy Base Intermodal Facility
4 Hobson/Bainbridge Realignment and Viaduct Removal
5 Private Drayage Road Elements
6 Southern Rail Connection
×Northern Rail Connection
A track will be constructed that approaches the facility from the north. Trains will travel from existing rail lines along Virginia Avenue to an existing interchange and bridge at Noisette Creek. Taking advantage of the natural topography and to minimize visual and noise impacts in the area, the train will travel along a natural embankment. Palmetto Railways will provide long-term maintenance and landscaping of this area. Continuing towards the facility, trains will approach the old Navy Hospital. Palmetto Railways values the character of this area and is actively designing the rail in consideration of the North Charleston community.
×Cosgrove McMillan Overpass
As the trains approach Cosgrove Avenue, they will travel under a new grade-separation that will separate rail traffic from vehicular traffic. This raised roadway will provide safe and uninterrupted access to existing and future development on the former Charleston Naval Complex. The overpass includes a safe pedestrian and recreational multi-use path to Riverfront Park.
×Navy Base Intermodal Facility
This state-of-the-art intermodal facility includes the implementation of semi-automated technologies, railroad yard tracks, electric wide-span rail-mounted gantry cranes, container stacking areas, and administrative buildings. Buildings on the facility will be architecturally designed to match the historic characteristics of existing buildings in the area.
Palmetto Railways plans to develop the intermodal facility with new innovative technology that is environmentally responsible. Electric cranes will be utilized in an effort to reduce impacts on the area such as noise and air emissions. In addition, semi-automated technology will be implemented to reduce truck congestion on the surrounding roadways and reduce diesel emissions.
×Hobson/Bainbridge Realignment and Viaduct Removal
The Hobson and Bainbridge intersection will be realigned to provide a continuous thru-traffic flow to the new Port Access Road. This change would allow trucks to move from the facility to Interstate 26 without impacting the local neighborhoods.
The Port Access Road and the new Stromboli Avenue overpass are not part of this project and will be constructed by the South Carolina Department of Transportation.
×Private Drayage Road Elements
A one-mile long private drayage road will be constructed from the facility to the South Carolina Ports Authority facilities. The drayage road will be a dedicated private roadway to transfer shipping containers from the facility to the Port. A portion of the drayage road would be elevated above the Port Access Road to avoid delays to local traffic.
×Southern Rail Connection
Trains approaching south of the facility will utilize new track constructed as a southern loop. This configuration allows connection between existing rail infrastructure in the area. At-grade crossings will still exist; however, designing the southern loop can minimize existing traffic impacts as it allows for more efficient rail operations.
