It's more than the water, lets count the ways.
1. 300 doors under 1 roof, not the 250 on one and 200 on another, Does any one really know how many times freight is handled?
Pad to strip door, strip door to shuttle door, shuttle moved to another strip door on opposite dock, strip door to destination door. That's if it cross loaded each time, if it isn't cross loaded, you need 6 dockmen and spotters to move one bill.
2. Brighter and safer, everyone knows 309 is barely lit like a 1950's parking garage.
3. 309 electrical system is in underground vaults that flood every time it rains, making it even worse.,
4. The shop is bigger and better, did you know the mechanics have to crawl under the tractors to change the oil, 309 does not have oil change pits. Fueling is indoors, not a 1930 style gas station like 309
5. Rail yard is 20 minutes away, this is huge, since we rail so much freight, ask any of the 705 drivers they'll tell you how much better of a location the Ridge is.
6. The vast amount of space at the Ridge will allow for easier movement on dock, there are no posts, pillars, cinder block buildings to get in the way.
7. You don't need to tie up doors with storage trailers at the Ridge, OSD, supplies, fuelers, propane, all these trailers waste space that can used for moving freight instead of getting in the way like they do at 309.
There are large separate areas for these functions under the big house roof.
8. The tube system at the ridge works, at 309, all bills (coming and going) have to be walked from dock to dock. Huge safety issue, especially at night.
9. The yard at the Ridge has modern and efficient lighting, not a few telephone poles with 1 light pointed in the wrong direction
(Just look at ABF's lighting) next time your at 309 at night, that's how a yard should be lit.
10. The Ridge is in a much nicer area, restaurants, gas stations, Dunkin Donuts all can be walked to and from. More choices of ordering food and having it delivered for lunch.
11. 309 barely pick ups 200 bills a night from it's P & D drivers, that doesn't pay any bills, a move back to the Ridge will mean 800 to 1000 pick ups a day, which will generate to revenue to pay everyone and every thing.
Right now I guarantee you 309 is operating at a huge loss, a terminal this size in a major metro area like Chicago should be making money!
12. Best of all I live less that 20 minutes from The Ridge, and I would guess it easier for most guys to get to the Ridge.