WASHINGTON — Three projects with a rail component were among 31 port improvement projects receiving a total of $580 million from the Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration in grant awards announced today (Friday, Nov. 15).
Funding comes from the Port Infrastructure Development Program, which received $2.25 billion under the Bipartisan Infrastruture Law.
“Modernizing America’s port infrastructure is essential to strengthening the multimodal network that supports our nation’s supply chain,” Maritime Administrator Ann Phillips said in a press release. “Approximately 2.3 billion short tons of goods move through U.S. waterways each year, and the benefits of developing port infrastructure extend far beyond the maritime sector. This funding enhances the flow and capacity of goods moved, bolstering supply chain resilience across all transportation modes, and addressing the environmental and health impacts on port communities.”
Rail-related awards, according to project descriptions in the awards announcement, are:
— $34.5 million for the Iroquois Landing Terminal in Chicago to add approximately 1,700 feet of new rail spur, rehabilitate roughly 3,000 feet of a dock wall, and construct approximately three new heavy-lift crane pads.
— $11.2 million to the Mount Vernon, Ind., port to construct a new rail yard and transload facility. The project will include construction of approximately 20,000 feet of track and five rail-truck transload zones, among other features. A press release says it is the largest federal grant in Ports of Indiana history and includes additional details.
— $11.2 million for the New Haven (Conn.) Terminal to add two new rail yards and more than 1 mile of new track.
Reviewing the project description sheet……
I always find it interesting that the USG now pays to build out industrial rail yards, the local government agency then contracts with a short line to move the cars around, so a Class 1 can pick it up.
Over $100 million just for Alaska ports? And why the Don Young Terminal, I thought Port Mackenzie was the target investment for Anchorage freight?
In Mt Vernon, Indiana, a port railroad will move the cars, EVWR (Evansville Western) will drop off/pick it up and take it out to the Class 1 of the shippers choice. Most likely CSX to the east since EVWR leases their tracks.
As for Hardin, Illinois, it has no railroads, just a decrepit highway lift bridge (Joe Page). I was wondering why IDOT was getting a lot of money together to replace it. Its the only way farmers can get their grain to the basic river terminal they have.
Why are the Feds paying Garden City, Georgia $50 million (Port of Savannah) to build out a dedicated power substation for Georgia Power? Why doesn’t Georgia Power build it, its dedicated to them after all.
I could go on through this list, but I am struggling to understand why the USG is paying for some of it?