Transportation
Intermodal Transportation refers to freight movement that uses more than one mode of transportation (i.e. rail, ship, truck). Companies load the freight into containers, and from that point on, the goods never leave the container between transfers from one mode to another. The result is a reduction of cargo handling, which lessens the incidence of loss or damage and speeds freight transportation.
Intermodal Transportation Centers can provide benefits to surrounding areas. Some of those benefits are: 
- Increased volume of transportation per unit cost
- Reduction in cost of goods produced
- Businesses obtain better access to input and output markets, which could give them the option to utilize a “just-in-time” delivery to more clients, thus reducing inventory costs
- Higher job skill level demand, which translates into higher-paying jobs for employees
- Improvement in road safety and positive environmental effects. Utilization of Intermodal Transportation as way to move goods would result in less traffic on highways and a reduction of vehicle emissions
In early 2008, acting with the support and encouragement of numerous Cenla industries and the North Rapides Business and Industry Alliance, the Central Louisiana Economic Development Alliance (CLEDA) commissioned Genesis Consulting Group to perform a study to determine whether the Central Louisiana region is capable of supporting new transportation options such as intermodal. This work, completed in June of 2008, concluded that an intermodal/inland port could be viable in the CENLA region, but that more planning was necessary.
The Cenla Advantage Partnership (with support from CLECO and The Rapides Foundation) contracted with Genesis for phase 1A of the work. Using a variety of criteria, Genesis Consulting Group investigated eight sites in the central Louisiana region with the potential for an Intermodal Transportation Center. After refining criteria for the proposed operation, four sites were further evaluated:
1. Alexandria Regional Port
2. Pineville Municipal Airport
3. Pollock Airport
4. Rapides Station
As part of the process, Genesis contacted several potential intermodal transportation users in the Cenla region for feedback on the following questions:
- Has the current national and international economic situation changed your thoughts on the use and value of an intermodal facility? If yes, please explain. If no, do you see this changing in the future?
- Does the location of any of the four (4) sites present issues to your operation?
- Two (2) of the sites have access to only one (1) rail carrier. Will this be an issue for your company?
According to replies received, despite economic downturns, companies in our region still believe that our region needs an intermodal facility. Additionally, an intermodal site with two (2) rail carriers is extremely important because two rail carriers would promote price competition.
Genesis Consulting Group recommended serious consideration and continued evaluation of the four locations. The additional evaluation should include:
- Investigation of tax maps and referenced deeds as filed in the RMS office of the respective parish
- Discussions with local real estate agents (in confidence) as to the status of the property
- Discussions with local economic development professionals as to the recommendation (including alternate locations)
- Field investigations of the area, including investigations of the utilities and a preliminary Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (records search, field investigations only – no title work or chain of ownership).
A variety of public and private interests continue to pursue the possibility of a major intermodal investment. Challenges identified by the Genesis studies are being addressed and in some case solved. While the possibility remains that an intermodal facility could be built on any of the four sites, the Alexandria Regional Port site seems to be emerging as the most likely candidate. Further details will be reported here as developments warrant.
Further Reading:
Genesis Consulting Group, Inter-Modal Transportation Center Phase IA Reconnaissance Study, February 2009