Rickenbacker Intermodal Facility is strategically located in the Columbus, Ohio metropolitan area, and is within a one day drive of more than fifty percent of the population of North America, and over 60% of US manufacturing production. The current rail operations at the facility include service by Norfolk Southern (NS) and CSX (two Class I Railroads—see note below). The facility is also located in close proximity to several major highways in the Columbus area: Interstates 270, 71 and 70 as well as highways 23 and 33.

Operated by Norfolk Southern, Rickenbacker Terminal opened in March 2008 and is located adjacent to Rickenbacker International Airport, approximately 15 miles south of Columbus. Norfolk Southern previously operated the Discovery Park intermodal facility nearby, but that facility had exceeded its capacity and a new site was necessary to accommodate expected growth. Because it was operating above capacity, NS had to turn away domestic rail business, which at the time accounted for 20% of all traffic at the facility. This lack of capacity was detrimental to both NS and the Columbus region. Thus, a search for a new, larger location was undertaken, and Norfolk Southern selected the Rickenbacker site.

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