CSX, Jacksonville, Fla., announced plans to develop a major freight rail infrastructure project in Selma, N.C., to spur economic development in the region and help position eastern North Carolina as a major transportation logistics hub.

The proposed intermodal rail terminal, the Carolina Connector, or CCX, will be a state-of-the-art facility serving the metro-Raleigh area. 

“We are excited about developing infrastructure within North Carolina that makes the state’s ports more competitive, lowers transportation costs for business and promotes reliance on freight rail, the most fuel efficient and environmentally-friendly form of land transportation,” says Louis Renjel, vice president, strategic infrastructure initiatives. “CSX has committed to working closely with Johnston County officials and community members to build an environmentally responsible terminal that benefits the local economy and surrounding area.”

Once operational, the terminal will serve as an intermodal transportation hub in the South, transferring a broad range of goods between trucks and trains. The terminal is forecast to produce more than $329 million in public benefits for the state over 30 years. The construction of the terminal is estimated to create 250-300 short-term construction jobs. Over time, up to 1,500 long-term jobs will be created statewide as a result of this development.