Mark Szakonyi, Daily Content Editor | Jan 11, 2012 11:07AM EST
Norfolk Southern Railway is positioned to gain more than 150,000 carloads of annual business from nearly $9.5 billion in facility investment made by shippers, particularly coal customers, near the railroad’s tracks in 2011.
The Norfolk, Va.-based company said 73 customers added new facilities and 27 customers expanded existing plants. The expansions are expected to create roughly 6,800 jobs in 18 states.
"The energy sector was once again a major contributor to these new plants and expansions," said Newell Baker, assistant vice president of industrial development.
He said the railroad helped energy sector shippers to locate or expand 27 facilities in 15 states, with coal projects contributing to 41 percent of the new rail traffic. Bakers said there was also an increase in Marcellus Shale gas exploration project along the railroad’s system.
-- Contact Mark Szakonyi at mszakonyi@joc.com. Follow him on Twitter @Szakonyi_JOC
