THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Wednesday, November 30, 1994           TAG: 9411300676
SECTION: BUSINESS                 PAGE: D2   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: Associated Press 
                                             LENGTH: Short :   24 lines

PORT AUTHORITY HIRES FIRM TO STUDY LOCATION OF FREIGHT YARD IN ROANOKE

The Virginia Port Authority has authorized a consulting firm to study the possibility of designating a free-trade zone and inland freight yard in southwestern Virginia. Consultants will provide data on the export and import possibilities of companies in the region and deliver advice on the potential for an inland port. The work of Vickerman, Zackery and Miller of Reston will be paid for by the port authority. Roanoke is trying to persuade Norfolk Southern Corp. to locate a rail yard in or near the city. The yard would be where freight in containers would be moved between trucks and rail cars. The inter-modal yard would be the first step in getting a port-of-entry designation and possibly a free-trade zone. by CNB