Construction Delays Escalate Costs at Navy Base Intermodal Facility

Article Sponsored by:

Want to target the right audience? Sponsor our site and choose your specific industry to connect with a relevant audience.

What Sponsors Receive:
Prominent brand mentions across targeted, industry-focused articles
High-visibility placements that speak directly to an engaged local audience
Guaranteed coverage that maximizes exposure and reinforces your brand presence
Interested in seeing what sponsored content looks like on our platform?
Browse Examples of Sponsored News and Articles:
May’s Roofing & Contracting
Forwal Construction
NSC Clips
Real Internet Sales
Suited
Florida4Golf
Click the button below to sponsor our articles:
Construction activity at the Navy Base Intermodal Facility, including cranes and railway tracks.

News Summary

The budget for the S.C. State Ports Authority’s Navy Base Intermodal Facility has surged by $196 million due to construction delays, bringing the total to $545 million. Originally set to open on July 1, the facility is now facing setbacks caused by disputes and labor issues. Lawmakers allocated $550 million for projects at the Port of Charleston, but excess costs beyond this budget will fall on the authority. Despite the challenges, the facility is 80% complete and aims to enhance rail capacity and reduce truck traffic.

North Charleston – Construction delays at the S.C. State Ports Authority’s Navy Base Intermodal Facility are pushing the budget up by $196 million, raising the total to $545 million from an initial estimate of $349 million three years ago. Initially slated to open on July 1, the facility will not meet this deadline due to various complications.

Lawmakers in South Carolina allocated $550 million in taxpayer funding to support two projects at the Port of Charleston; however, only the rail-based cargo hub will utilize this allocation. The second initiative, aimed at establishing a $150 million barge facility for moving containers by river, must now seek other funding sources, such as grants or revenue from the ports authority’s operations. Of the initial funding, $51 million is still reserved from the 2022 general fund to pay off a loan related to preliminary planning documents for the cargo hub.

To ensure accountability for the increased costs, the Joint Bond Review Committee‘s fiscal accountability subcommittee will convene with ports authority officials in July, although an exact date for the meeting is yet to be confirmed. No mandate has been laid out for completing both projects under the initial funding allocation. Any excess costs incurred beyond the $550 million budget will be absorbed by the ports authority itself.

The delays in the construction project stem primarily from disputes between CSX Corp. and Norfolk Southern over train access to the container transfer site. Various factors are contributing to the overall delays, including trade uncertainties, imposed tariffs, labor issues, and a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that mandates the use of union labor in relevant projects. Despite these setbacks, the 118-acre facility is currently around 80% complete, having already established miles of new tracks and three out of six planned electric, rail-mounted gantry cranes, along with concrete paving and new buildings.

To improve connectivity, the Cosgrove Avenue Extension, which links North Charleston with the city’s Waterfront Park, is set for completion in July. This overpass and pedestrian bridge aims to facilitate better transport to and from the cargo hub.

The intermodal facility is critical for South Carolina’s ports as it addresses the deficiency of on-dock rail access, which has hindered Charleston’s competitive edge. Currently, Charleston stands out as the only major East Coast port without on-dock rail access. Approximately 300,000 containers, equating to 25% of the port’s total annual container traffic, are moved by rail. The completion of the new facility is anticipated to significantly enhance rail capacity, potentially allowing for a tripling of rail movements and a substantial decrease in truck traffic, which, in turn, could lower vehicle emissions.

The project also aims to consolidate rail traffic to minimize disruptions on local roads. The importance of this facility cannot be overstated, as it is positioned to transform cargo handling in Charleston, ensuring that the region can better compete with other ports on the East Coast.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Additional Resources

HERE Greenwood
Author: HERE Greenwood

The HERE Greenwood Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Greenwood community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Greenwood Our team includes lifelong Greenwood residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent listing of the historic Grier Building, Greenwood’s railroad and textile heritage, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Piedmont Technical College programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.

ADD MORE INFORMATION OR CONTRIBUTE TO OUR ARTICLE CLICK HERE!
Article Sponsored by:

Want to target the right audience? Sponsor our site and choose your specific industry to connect with a relevant audience.

What Sponsors Receive:
Prominent brand mentions across targeted, industry-focused articles
High-visibility placements that speak directly to an engaged local audience
Guaranteed coverage that maximizes exposure and reinforces your brand presence
Interested in seeing what sponsored content looks like on our platform?
Browse Examples of Sponsored News and Articles:
May’s Roofing & Contracting
Forwal Construction
NSC Clips
Real Internet Sales
Suited
Florida4Golf
Click the button below to sponsor our articles:

Stay Connected

More Updates

Would You Like To Add Your Business?

Sign Up Now and get your local business listed!