Winter Haven, FL – U.S. Rep. John L. Mica (R-FL), Chairman of the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, joined Governor Scott and other officials at today’s groundbreaking of the historic intermodal transportation and rail center in Winter Haven.

The Central Florida freight transportation facility is a major new truck, rail, and warehousing hub for the transfer and storage of containerized freight and automobiles.

“This is one of the most significant economic development projects in Central Florida since the introduction of the orange tree,” Mica said.  “This modern transportation center is the largest intermodal project in the history of the state, and will bring an estimated 8,500 jobs over the next ten years.”

“This project is a result of relocating CSX freight traffic from Central Florida’s urban Orlando core and is designed to speed freight at three times the current rate of travel while connecting all parts of the state, east, west, north and south.  In addition to creating much-needed jobs, the intermodal center will have the most positive impact in the last half-century on reducing I-475 and I-95 heavy truck traffic,” Mica added.

Under an agreement between the State of Florida and CSX, proceeds from a right-of-way sale are being used for freight improvements throughout the state.  The Winter Haven intermodal center will facilitate freight transportation from all parts of Florida, north from Miami, as well as between Tampa and Port Canaveral.

The project is composed of a 318-acre terminal facility that will function as an inland port where containers will be transferred from rail to truck and truck to rail and goods will be unloaded and transferred to retail sales locations.  Adjacent to the terminal is a 932-acre parcel, which will house distribution centers, warehouses, light manufacturing and offices in proximity to the terminal facility.

Intermodal freight is the fastest-growing segment of the freight rail industry, and intermodal containers transport a huge variety of goods, from furniture to frozen chickens to computers.  A single intermodal train has the potential to take 280 long-haul trucks off the highway.

The facility will have a dramatic impact on the local economy.  In addition to the immediate creation of 200 construction jobs, an economic impact study conducted by HDR Engineering estimates that 8,500 jobs will be created as the distribution and warehouse center is developed and brought online.

The construction period is scheduled to last through May 2014, when the intermodal terminal becomes operational.

Mica joined Governor Rick Scott, Winter Haven Mayor J.P. Powell, CSX President & CEO Michael Ward, and other state and local officials at today’s event.