CSX, developer seek relocation of access road to new terminal

Just when government officials have resolved the costs of a port access road in North Charleston, a railroad operator and a real estate developer are asking to change the path of the project.

CSX Corp. and Shipyard Creek Associates unveiled plans Thursday to build an "intermodal" yard near in the Neck Area where cargo containers could be placed onto or off-loaded from train cars or trucks.

The problem is that the access road, as currently planned, is in the way, state lawmakers were told Thursday at a port subcommittee meeting.

"Do we need to move the road for the intermodal facility? The answer is absolutely yes," said developer Robert L. Clement III, one of the owners of Shipyard Creek Associates.

The access road is a required element of a new shipping terminal that the State Ports Authority is building on the former Navy base. It was mandated to keep port-related truck traffic off local streets.

Until recently, construction costs remained uncertain. In August the SPA said that it would pick up the tab for any expenses that exceed the $182.5 million already appropriated for the project.

State Rep. Wallace Scarborough, R-Charleston, was exasperated by the relocation request from CSX and Clement's group.

"What really concerns me here is that we're talking about moving this port access road yet again. We finally get to a port access road we all agree about, and we are falling further and further behind in this state," Scarborough said. "The further we delay, the more Charleston and South Carolina are going to fall behind."

While it's uncertain what will become of the request, the access-road talks led lawmakers to touch on another sore spot related to the Navy base shipping terminal: CSX's ownership of the rail line that would serve the new port.

S.C. Public Railways, an arm of the state Department of Commerce, wants dual access to the site for CSX rival Norfolk Southern Corp.

John Dillard, director of state government affairs for CSX, showed no sign of budging.

"We believe we can provide competitive rail access to every shipper that wants to use the Port of Charleston," Dillard said.

In addition to the intense rail discussion, Thursday's meeting also brought out harsh words for the legislative delegation. At its last port meeting, the group hammered SPA management, including its chief executive officer, Bernard S. Groseclose Jr.

Bulldog Hiway Express President and CEO Phil Byrd told local lawmakers that his North Charleston-based trucking company was forced to open an office in Savannah.

"We've seen customer after customer leave this port and move elsewhere," he said. "We've had to follow that business."

Byrd cited Charleston's drop from its ranking as the No. 2 container port on the East Coast, but he didn't blame the SPA for the slump in business.

"I believe if this ports authority had support from the governor and the General Assembly on down, we'd still be No. 2," Byrd said.

Charleston Motor Carriers Association President Pat Barber suggested that a disconnect exists between legislators who favor privatizing the port and the day-to-day realities of the waterfront.

"I think sometimes — no offense, guys — you don't know how it works," Barber said.

Reach Allyson Bird at 937-5594 or abird@postandcourier.com.