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NOPB Railroad Projects Near Completion

[ August 21, 2024   //   ]

The New Orleans Public Belt Railroad, or NOPB, said it is making significant progress on two major infrastructure enhancement projects – the Transloading Industrial Park and the Claiborne Yard expansion.
The NOPB Transloading Industrial Park off Jourdan Road in New Orleans East will enable shippers to move freight more efficiently between truck and rail into the hinterland. The property, which is owned by the Port of New Orleans, will offer a new NOPB customer the opportunity to provide cost-effective shipping options while simultaneously opening new markets for the region.
NOPB’s board of commissioners awarded a US$2.2 million-dollar contract to Cycle Construction Co. LLC, earlier this year, for construction on the transload yard. Since breaking ground in April, the project is more than 85 percent finished. Once completed later in August, the project will be able to serve up to 21 railcars.
The total project cost is US$3 million and will be funded by a US$1.5 million grant from the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, as well as a US$1.5 million funding match from NOPB.
The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded NOPB US$7.29 million in 2020 as part of the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Grant to help fund the additional railyard space and the deployment of automated switching technology.
The Claiborne Yard expansion near the St. Claude area is also expected to be completed later in August. The expansion will add four additional storage tracks, additional infrastructure for more efficient train operations and transloading for new or existing customers.
Port NOLA and NOPB reported double-digit growth in intermodal rail volumes, through its growing intermodal service and efficient global and inland connections, Port NOLA ensures that goods arrive at homes across the nation, that businesses can efficiently move their products, and that economic prosperity and job creation for the state and region continues.
Additionally in May, Port NOLA reported record growth, moving 133.85 million 20-foot equivalent units during the third quarter of fiscal year 2024, a 19 percent increase year over year and a record quarter with container volume not seen since 2021.

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