Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation Awards Funding to Norfolk Local Terminal Business to Reduce Congestion and Move Goods by Rail
The Commonwealth Transportation Board recently voted to award $750,000 to Fairwinds Terminal Services, LLC (Fairwinds). The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) administers this funding through the Rail Industrial Access (RIA) program, which helps businesses connect to the state and national rail network. Fairwinds will use the funding to rehabilitate 12,000 feet of track in service at its Fairwinds Landing facility in the City of Norfolk, Virginia enabling the business to move products more affordably by rail while reducing truck traffic in the region.
The project is a part of a larger effort to revitalize the company’s 131-acre waterfront facility to serve as a multi-function, multi-tenant maritime logistics center, considerably expanding terminal capabilities and import/export operation volumes.
The rehabilitation of the tracks will complement $200 million Fairwinds is investing in upgrading its facilities, helping to create 250 new jobs. By improving the state of the track, 310 new carloads will move along the tracks each year which is the equivalent of 1,054 trucks. This means less traffic and fewer air pollutants for nearby businesses and residents.
“We are proud to help a local, veteran-owned business reach suppliers within and outside of the Commonwealth,” shared DRPT Director Mariia Zimmerman. “Investment in rail infrastructure helps to grow jobs, reduces congestion and strengthens our supply chain. Every carload moved over rail is a move in the right direction for Norfolk, for Virginia, and for domestic and international trade.”
“It is a pleasure to partner with DRPT on this project,” said CEO/Owner of Fairwinds Landing Jerry Miller. “We are grateful for the support we have received to better track conditions and will pay it forward to our community and the Commonwealth by growing jobs, cultivating efficiency, and lessening congestion on key shipping corridors.”
Fairwinds is a veteran-owned, Virginia-based company working in defense, energy, and niche non-containerized dry cargo markets. They focus operations on moving sizable components for third parties on a water-to-rail and rail-to-water basis.
Through its work, Fairwinds moves large electrical transformers from international waters to domestic suppliers and ship locomotives to destinations around the world. The company is also launching railcar transloading at this site to move products between local container terminals and mid-western markets.
Since 2018, the state's RIA program has funded 29 projects across Virginia resulting in over 193,000 trucks diverted from highways and local roadways, and leveraging almost $1.5 billion in capital investments.
For more information about DRPT’s RIA program, visit DRPT’s website.
About the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation
DRPT's mission is to connect and improve the quality of life for all Virginians with innovative transportation solutions. The agency works with rail and public transportation stakeholders to provide service to people throughout Virginia and promotes transportation options to the general public, businesses, and community decision makers. DRPT's vision is a connected Commonwealth with an integrated multimodal network that serves every person, every business, and every need. For more information, please visit www.drpt.virginia.gov.
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