CSX Intermodal Northwest Ohio process area expansion

Project Summary

Hanson provided design and construction support services for the expansion of CSX Intermodal Terminals’ Northwest Ohio trans-shipment terminal. The terminal is a critical hub in the railroad’s intermodal operations. At the terminal, containers are transferred from one train to another via electric-powered, wide-span cranes that cover eight tracks, a container stacking area and a straddle crane area.

Hanson’s design services included a 2,280-foot extension of the crane runway, which provided for the addition of up to four wide-span cranes. The design also included extending seven process tracks, one new receiving/departure track, two new engine-ready tracks, two new bad order tracks, power for the wide-span cranes, site lighting, power distribution for the switch heaters and signal/telecommunication equipment, extension of the yard compressed air system and the associated paving and drainage.

Hanson provided services including project management, track design, yard grading and drainage design, structural and geotechnical engineering for the crane foundations and pavement thickness design. Hanson’s structural services also included designing a bridge to carry the wide-span cranes over an existing box culvert. To expedite construction, the crane foundations were designed to permit the use of slip-form construction. Subconsultants on Hanson’s team completed topographic surveying, the geotechnical borings and testing and electrical and mechanical engineering. Hanson provided construction support services including shop drawing review, response to contractor requests for information, site visits and the preparation of as-built drawings.

Sustainable aspects of the project include cutting-edge technologies and green design. Typical intermodal terminals use diesel-powered cranes that produce greenhouse gases and high-particulate emissions, but CSX’s electric wide-span cranes have no emissions. The terminal uses optical scanners that reduce truck idle times, as well as automated container inventory through the crane positioning system, and remote switches that increase operational efficiency. It is one of the country’s most environmentally friendly and technologically advanced intermodal terminals.