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Transportation Services

All roads lead to Chaffee Crossing, distinctly situated at the center of the U.S. transportation grid. The region is recognized as a manufacturing hub with immediate access to all critical modes of transportation—interstates, rail, river and air.

A skilled workforce, readily available training through University of Arkansas-Fort Smith, Arkansas Tech University-Ozark Campus, Carl Albert State College and other local training centers are equipped to provide customized training as needed. These educational institutions produce top quality candidates who are ready to meet ever-evolving industry demands.

Chaffee Crossing has been recognized by national site selector publications as a top-level development for manufacturing

due to its complete portfolio of transportation resources. 

Site Profile

• First-rate infrastructure
•      Access to Interstate 40 and Interstate 49
•      Class I Rail (2) and Short Lines (4)
•      Arkansas River Ports (2)
•      Multiple Trucking Terminals and Warehouse Facilities
•      Intermodal Handling Facilities
• Competitive local and state incentives
• #1 Manufacturing Hub in Arkansas
• Exceptional, well-established supply chains
• Highly skilled, cross-trained workforce
• "Right to Work” state
• Windmill tax exemption
• Attractive land costs in new, proactive industrial neighborhood
• Shovel-ready tracts with utilities to site
• Flexible, industrial-friendly zoning
• LOW costs of:
•        Doing business 
•        Labor
•        Utilities
• Logistics/transportation of raw materials and finished goods
• Conventional energy - electric and natural gas
• Communications Technology - Fiber optic networks offered by four providers
• Outstanding quality of life – Arkansas is” The Natural State”

Interstate 40 / Interstate 49

Interstate 40 connects the east coast to the west coast of the United States across Virginia, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, northern Texas, New Mexico and California. In July 2015, a new section of Interstate 49 opened through the heart of Chaffee Crossing, connecting western Arkansas to Winnipeg, Canada. This intersection of two major interstates provides ideal access to rail service and river ports as well as highway access to major metropolitan cities of Little Rock, Kansas City, Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Amarillo, Dallas, Shreveport, Memphis, Nashville and more. The Roberts Blvd. interchange is located immediately adjacent to the Chaffee Crossing industrial neighborhood with direct access to manufacturers and warehouses.

Class I Railroad Service 

Multiple Class I rail lines serve the Fort Smith metro market area. Fort Smith Railroad, a division of Pioneer Railcorp, is the primary rail service for Chaffee Crossing. Once freight enters the development, it is served on Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority's privately-owned short line. The rail was built by the U.S. Army when Fort Chaffee was built. FCRA maintains the rail which includes a railhead. Fort Chaffee Joint Maneuver Training Center troops and industrial customers enjoy the convenience of having access to railcar delivery direct to their facilities.

Arkansas River Ports 

The Ports of Van Buren and Fort Smith on the Arkansas River are operated by Five Rivers Distribution. Primary tonnage is sand, aggregates, grains and industrial components. Data about tonnage capacity is available through the Western Arkansas Intermodal Authority (WAIA), a division of the Western Arkansas Planning and Development District. This agency monitors existing infrastructure in order to serve as a planning and development catalyst for new shipping locations and methods. Through local and state partnerships, WA-RITA is working to expand the movement of goods and freight that are key drivers of the regional economy. Visit the WAPDD website for resources regarding all forms of transportation in the greater Fort Smith region.

Regional Commercial Airports

Chaffee Crossing is less than 10 minutes from the Fort Smith Regional Airport (FSM) and only 60 miles from Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport (XNA). Both are commercial, regional airports. Fort Smith travelers enjoy daily regional jet service to Dallas/Fort Worth and Atlanta with connections worldwide. XNA has nearly 40 daily flights with 15 direct connections to cities across the U.S. TAC Air is also located at the Fort Smith Airport. Also located at the Fort Smith airport is the Arkansas Air National Guard 188th Wing.