More rail connections would bump economic development at Jaxport

[thelakelander]

Say it ain't so!  I guess we have not been flying off the radar scale when we've been preaching this for the last five years.  Previous Metro Jacksonville articles:

A Solution to Jaxport's Rail Logistics Problem

Limited Rail Service Hurts Jaxport

Is Jacksonville Losing Logistically?

Several railroad companies connected to one rail hub at Jacksonville’s port could help attract more distribution centers to the city, industry leaders said Thursday.

The Logistics Advisory Group met to discuss how to increase Jacksonville's economic competitiveness and hear responses from a study that asked for members’ opinions on issues such as transportation infrastructure, business climate and incentives.

full article: http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2012/06/22/logistics-meeting-discusses-business.html

[Ocklawaha]

How it's done in Georgia, Alabama, Los Angeles... etc.

TraPac general manager Dennis Kelly and Debbie McDowell, Seaonus director of customer service and business development, said more rail connections in one location could extend Jacksonville’s profile and customer reach.

WRONG...

More rail connections in ANY one location is the correct answer. Rail carriers need universal access to all port terminals. The only way to effect this is for the city to own the trackage from Blount Island, though the old Springfield Yard, and via the 'S' line down to Jacksonville Terminal. The trackage could then be operated by a neutral terminal company railroad, or left for open access to all carriers.

CSX might push back as they'd probably like to keep 100% of a sputtering port rather then take the gamble of 33.3% of a booming growth port. This is where our passenger rail needs could be brought into play with federal/state dollars to buy the trackage, the dual use would only sweeten the deal for the government. PLEASE dear God, don't let JTA write that grant!

“We’ve been behind the eight-ball,” Schleicher said.

Boy does he ever have that right!

OCKLAWAHA