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[dcwarner]

Hurricane Frances, a strong category 4 storm, is expected to make landfall in Florida within the next 36 to 48 hours. While the actual path of the storm is still unpredictable, forecasts place the most likely area of landfall somewhere between Daytona Beach and Miami, Florida. As a result, CSX Intermodal is issuing an embargo on all Florida destination traffic until further notice. CSX Intermodal terminals will not accept any traffic billed to Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa, Talleyrand or any FEC destination, effective immediately. In addition, CSXI's transcontinental service from the West Coast to Florida is embargoed until further notice. As information, the FEC has issued train plans that begin curtailing both north and southbound trains between Jacksonville and Miami today.

CSX Intermodal terminals in Jacksonville, Orlando and Tampa are still open at this time and accepting northbound traffic for train movement. Orlando will close its inbound gate today at 17:00 EDT and its outbound gate at midnight tonight. The last northbound train will depart Orlando tonight. Tampa will close its inbound gate at 19:00 EDT today and its outbound gate at midnight tonight. Tampa's last northbound train will also depart tonight.

Early indications are that CSXI's Jacksonville terminal will close its gate Friday evening or early Saturday morning depending on the path of Hurricane Frances. CSXI's Jacksonville, Savannah and Charleston terminals remain open at this time. Assessments will be made tomorrow morning regarding the possible closure of these terminals and will be communicated via Fast Facts at that time.

Courtesy of CRTS