Texas port launches first phase of rail-focused development project NEWSWIRE

FREEPORT, Texas — Port Freeport officials recently gathered along the Gulf Coast for a groundbreaking ceremony on a new rail development project. Phase one of the project, known as Parcel 14, is one of the port’s long-term strategic objectives to offer more rail service to the petrochemical and other industries.

Parcel 14 is a 250-acre site located along state Route 36 near the Brazos River diversion canal. The site will be built into a multimodal industrial park with warehousing facilities, cross-docking activities, and distribution centers. Additional areas of the site have been earmarked for new vehicle processing and storage.

The first phase of the project calls for approximately 21,000 linear feet of track consisting of a 6,000-foot lead track spurring from UP’s main line at Cherry Street in Freeport. There will be three additional spurs built at approximately 5,000 feet each.

The rail component of the project is about $21 million and will be administered by James Construction. Construction will begin this month and will be fully operational by July 2018, according to the port.

Union Pacific will provide rail service to the facility.

Port Freeport is situated along the Gulf Coast along 65 miles south of Houston.

See the news release online.