SYRACUSE: Plans for a competing inland port project in Central New York are moving forward. Leaders of a largely privately-financed proposal said it’s their plan that works best for the area. 3Gi’s plan calls for a cargo facility adjacent to the CSX rail yard in Dewitt and Manlius.
Developers said the Manlius site can divert traffic, can receive federal funding and is the only site with the Class-One capacity for international exports and imports. However, the region’s economic development council is supporting plans to bring an inland port to the Jamesville area off of Interstate 481.
3Gi leaders said that plan won’t be as beneficial. “It’s not eligible for any of this federal funding,” 3Gi Chairman and CEO Chris Beck said. “So any project they could be possibly looking at is not going to get the federal funding here to support the project.” 3GI leaders plan to apply for federal funding next month. Tuesday, they are hosting the first of a series of open houses for the public. The meeting is scheduled for 2 p.m. at 360 Erie Boulevard East in Syracuse.
