Guest Post: Railroads are a Competitive Advantage for Florida

According to the Florida Chamber Foundation’s recent Global Trade & Logistics Study, “Florida faces a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform its economy by becoming a global hub for trade, logistics and export oriented manufacturing.” The study also notes that improved road and rail connections are critical to accommodating future growth in freight flows.  And since most major highway corridors in the state will be heavily congested, even after planned investments are made, freight rail corridors will become an increasingly important asset to the state’s efforts to serve non-Florida discretionary markets, expand our ports, and become a global trade hub. 
 
Fourteen freight railroads operate in Florida on 2,874 miles of privately owned and maintained track.  These railroads handle over 1.5 million carloads of freight in Florida and are a critical part of the state’s trade and logistics industry.  Freight railroads provide a substantial economic benefit to Florida and the nation, and this benefit extends beyond the 2,874 miles of track in the state.  The true value of freight railroads is their ability to leverage broader rail networks and the connections they provide to other modes of transportation.  Florida’s freight rail network helps connect Florida manufacturing to domestic and global markets.  Furthermore, intermodal connectivity between ports and rail allow international goods to enter key Florida ports and be efficiently delivered to major consumptive markets across the United States.  Without this rail connectivity, Florida ports would be severely limited in serving out-of-state markets.

Bob O'Malley
Resident Vice President, Florida
State Government and Community Affairs
CSX Transportation