HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 77

(By Delegates Howell, Rowan, A. Evans, Sponaugle,

                      Cowles and D. Evans)

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study the feasibility and viability of building an intermodal facility at the Keyser Rail Yard in Mineral County, West Virginia, for the purpose of shipping containers from rail to truck and truck to rail.

    Whereas, The City of Keyser is located equal distance from Corridor H and Interstate 68; and

    Whereas, The Keyser Rail Yard has excellent highway access, 22 miles to Cumberland and Interstate 68; 10 minutes to Highway 50 to Winchester, VA. and 2.5 hours to Dulles International Airport and Washington, D.C.; and

    Whereas, A four lane connector route between Corridor H and Interstate 68 is in step two of the planning process; and

    Whereas, The Keyser Rail Yard is within 250 miles of all mid-Atlantic metropolitan markets; within two-thirds of the U.S. population and major East Coast markets and within 29 miles of the regional airport; and

    Whereas, In anticipation of the connector route between Corridor H and Interstate 68, the level of truck traffic has already started to increase on US Route 220, the existing connecting road between Corridor H and Interstate 68 running through Keyser; and

    Whereas, Keyser Rail Yard is an existing commercial rail station, already equipped with utilities, water, gas and an enhanced 911 system with the Keyser Fire Station one mile from site; and

    Whereas, An intermodal facility for shipping between rail and truck and truck and rail will facilitate transfers and create a more seamless transit network; and

    Whereas, An intermodal facility would serve to consolidate multiple operators and routes into one location and may also serve to create additional funding sources; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study the feasibility and viability of building an intermodal transport facility at the Keyser Rail Yard in Keyser, Mineral County, West Virginia; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2014, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts of legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report and to draft legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.