The railroad business’s revival to facilitate US and world-wide commerce is seeding the strategies of state commerce departments to enhance port infrastructure-as many states want to dedicate railway connections from the logistics hubs for the marine ports. As plans for the new Intermodal Railyard get underway after much battle of interests and public / private sector land disputes, South Carolina and also the city of North Charleston are in detente.

Background of Difference with North Charleston and S.C. Commerce Department
This Season, the town of North Charleston was not initially on board with the South Carolina Department of Commerce’s airy plans for the proposed rail yard to be situated on the former Charleston Naval Base where it would be accessible by the Norfolk Southern and CSX Corporation rail lines. The S.C. Commerce department’s position projected the Intermodal Railyard development would reinforce state and local organizations, bringing increased commerce to the port of Charleston. However, North Charleston had various issues. The city’s contention was to maintain private ownership of the land and its particular vested interest was residential safety and its riverfront attractions. North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey brought a suit against the S.C. Commerce department, citing the state’s disregard of its 2002 SPA (State Ports Authority) arrangement because the projected Railyard would infringe upon city development efforts; stepping into a protracted, pending litigation with the state over the dispute.

The proposed North Charleston Railyard Steams Ahead with Mutual Settlement Terms
The settlement terms enable SC to build its intermodal container transfer facility – strategically situated to the former Charleston Naval Base, to be accessible by both the state’s Class I rail lines. The settlement has S.C. State commerce department anticipating the rapid development of commerce during the Charleston port together with the widening of the Panama Canal, suggested for 2014. In Addition, North Charleston will profit from increased industry and job development. One significant attribute of the settlement is dual property control of the former naval base in Public Railways Division and North Charleston. Charleston’s city council voted in the Railyard proposition and decided to provide administrative assistance for implementation problems including permits and zoning. The city is anticipatory of attracting investment ventures and jobs. “With today’s vote by North Charleston City Council, everybody in SC wins…,” expressed SC Governor Nikki Haley.