Princeton Area Chamber of Commerce (PACC) retained RLBA to explore the feasibility of developing a new, potentially jointly-served CSX/Norfolk Southern Railway intermodal terminal in southwest Indiana, in the vicinity of Princeton. While CSX currently serves a small intermodal terminal 25 miles to the south in Evansville, that facility is constrained and does not offer viable expansion potential to the railroad or economic development opportunities to the region.

RLBA’s work plan, funded through a State of Indiana Rural Development Action Program grant, was divided into four tasks. The firm first documented and assessed market demand by focusing on regional economic growth outlook and trade patterns and interviewing potential users regarding transportation needs and market access requirements. Second, RLBA assessed southwest Indiana’s transportation infrastructure, evaluating the region’s connection to the U.S. rail and highway network. Existing and future infrastructure capacity were examined to determine the ability of said infrastructure to support the region’s economic outlook. Third, the firm evaluated and ranked potential intermodal terminal sites through documentation of functional criteria developed as a result of the demand analysis. A subsequent short list of sites were evaluated to support final recommendations. Finally, RLBA developed the business case associated with establishment of a new southwest Indiana intermodal terminal by examining potential facility volumes, revenues and costs, while keeping in mind the institutional considerations necessary to fund, develop and operate the terminal.