Port Freeport begins Parcel 14 Rail Development Project

The Texas Gulf port has tapped James Construction to build and develop the 250-acre multimodal industrial park, valued at $21 million, Port Freeport said in a statement.    Construction of the Phase 1 of the Parcel 14 Rail Development project has commenced at Port Freeport, according to the Texas port.
   Parcel 14 is a 250-acre site which will be developed into a multimodal industrial park with warehousing facilities for plastic resins packaging, cross-docking activities and distribution centers. Other parts of the site have been set aside for new vehicle processing and storage.
   Last month, Port Freeport Commissioners awarded James Construction the $21 million development contract, which also includes approximately 21,000 feet of rail track with a 6,000-foot lead track that will connect to three ladder tracks of roughly 5,000 feet each. Union Pacific Railroad will offer manifest train service on the new rail infrastructure, said the port.  
   The rail project has been a long-term objective for improving landside accessibility for both the port and Brazoria County’s petrochemical Industry, said the port.
   “In addition to adding rail capacity to Port Freeport’s infrastructure portfolio, the new rail facility will enhance our partnerships with area industry, and will be the first step in future connections to the Texas International Trade Corridor,” said Phyllis Saathoff, executive director and CEO at Port Freeport.
   “The port is pleased to begin work with James Construction on this new rail project to support the business needs of our current and future customers and create jobs and economic prosperity for the area. With the opening of the expanded Panama Canal and the oil and gas renaissance experienced in this region and the new resin production coming on line, growth at Port Freeport will continue,” said Port Freeport Chairman Paul Kresta.
   The new rail infrastructure is slated to be fully operational by July 2018.