By Andy Owens
aowens@scbiznews.com
Published Aug. 22, 2012

The S.C. State Ports Authority authorized President and CEO Jim Newsome to continue pursuing the development of an inland port in the Upstate and gave him a $25 million budget for the project Tuesday.

Jim Newsome

The resolution also authorizes Newsome to enter into any land deals, including purchases and swaps, and to enter into contracts with the port’s rail partner in the project, Norfolk Southern, or other parties to launch and maintain the project.

The ports authority plans for the new intermodal facility to link Charleston Harbor to Greer by rail. At a July meeting, the board approved a $1.1 million design contract to Patrick Engineering and its local partner, Davis & Floyd.

The S.C. State Ports Authority board said after considering and reviewing information regarding the development of the inland port, including construction, operation and maintenance of the facility, the board decided to go forward with the project named the S.C. Inland Port.

“It’s been our belief that the successful growth of intermodal container units really requires us to look beyond our traditional port facilities,” Newsome said in July.

Previous coverage SPA pursuing inland port in Greer

The inland port has the potential to take 50,000 trucks off the highway, the ports authority said. At its start, Newsome said, the inland port will take about 25,000 trucks off the highway. The facility will provide an overnight train service from the port’s docks to the rail facility in Greer. Newsome said Upstate-based customers like BMW, Michelin and Adidas could use the facility.

The S.C. Inland Port is expected to be roughly 40 or 50 acres and be completed within 18 months. The project was included in the budget for the current fiscal year.

Matt Tomsic contributed to this report.