Norfolk Southern to Use New Intermodal Terminal
at Bethlehem Steel's Bethlehem, PA Property
For Immediate Release
Public Relations Division
Public Affairs Department
1170 Eighth Avenue
Bethlehem, PA 18016-7699
(610) 694-3711 - Phone
(610) 694-1509 - Fax
BETHLEHEM, Pa., January 13, 1999 -- Bethlehem Steel Corporation announced today the creation of an intermodal terminal on 200 acres at the corporation's South Side Bethlehem, Pa., property.
The terminal will allow for the unloading and continued shipment of trailers and containerized freight, which will be distributed throughout the eastern United States. The transfer facility, to be operated by Bethlehem Steel's BethIntermodal, Inc. subsidiary, will be located in the East Lehigh section of the former steel plant.
In its first year of operation, the facility will create more than 100 full-time jobs. As traffic increases, BethIntermodal estimates that 2,000 to 3,000 direct and indirect jobs could be created over the next seven to ten years.
"This facility will establish Bethlehem as a leading rail hub for the Northeast and will lead to the creation of other businesses on the same site within the next two or three years," said Curtis H. Barnette, chairman and chief executive officer, Bethlehem Steel Corporation. "As rail traffic increases, other companies that use these services will locate on the site. This use of this land presents sizeable opportunities to the community to increase its base of jobs in the light industrial sector while making excellent use of land located adjacent to lines serviced by Class 1 rail carriers such as Norfolk Southern and Canadian Pacific," he said.
Norfolk Southern will be the first customer using this new facility to provide more service options to its customers. "Norfolk Southern is excited about the prospect of extending our reach into the Northeast, and we're particularly pleased to be in the BethIntermodal Terminal," said David R. Goode, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Norfolk Southern. "This facility will promote growth in intermodal transportation and help Pennsylvania's businesses be competitive in their markets. It gives our customers more service options, and we are delighted to be part of that growth."
Bethlehem Steel's chairman credited cooperation by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the City of Bethlehem and Northampton County to help create the facility on Bethlehem Steel property. "Governor Tom Ridge, Secretaries Brad Mallory, Jim Seif and John Oliver, Deputy Transportation Secretary Liz Voras and the entire Ridge Administration have led the Commonwealth to become one of the leading states in the creation of new jobs. This is also another example of the effectiveness of Act 2 legislation, also known as the brownfields law, that enables new jobs to locate on former industrial properties," Mr. Barnette said, and in particular noted the leadership of the Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Jim Seif.
Citing his appreciation for local government support, Mr. Barnette said, "The support of Bethlehem Mayor Don Cunningham and Bethlehem City Council, and Northampton County Executive Glenn Reibman has been critical to the decision to create this facility." He also noted the significant support of U.S. Senators Arlen Specter and Rick Santorum, and extended his appreciation to U.S. Representative Pat Toomey for his early commitment to this development. "We are continuing our efforts, through a public/private partnership, to return jobs to this site. We appreciate the ongoing support for the entire development project, which includes 163 acres at the western edge of the complex known as Bethlehem Works."
The new terminal will provide transfer facilities to handle shipments moving between the northeast corridor and points south and west. The proximity of I-78 to the transfer facility will improve service for intermodal customers.
The terminal will be located on acreage owned by Bethlehem Steel Corporation and formerly used for steelmaking and finishing facilities. For the past three years, Bethlehem Steel has been actively pursuing a wide range of options for development of the 1,800 acres. The 163 acres at the western edge of the property, known as Bethlehem Works, are being developed as a mixed-use tract for entertainment, recreation, retail and cultural activities. The remaining acreage, which is being actively marketed to industrial clients, also contains forging, machining and rollmaking operations now owned by WHEMCO and other industrial tenants.
The facility will be operated by BethIntermodal, Inc., which continues to market the terminal.