Indiana officials are optimistic that a newly completed road project will help double ocean cargo capacity at the state’s Lake Michigan port.
State and local officials on Nov. 4 cut the ribbon to mark the completion of the four-lane State Road 249 bridge.
The bridge is part of the Indiana Department of Transportation’s $35.4 million multiyear project to double capacity on the only public roadway linking Ports of Indiana-Burns Harbor and the greater Chicago/northern Indiana market.
The rail-served port since 1970 has been reached by a two-lane highway.
“This bridge is a critical connector for global trade,” said Ports of Indiana Chief Executive Jody Peacock, in a release. “Ports require robust multimodal connections, and this new entrance will double our port’s capacity to handle critical ocean shipments. We have 17 ship berths and storage for 250 railcars, but only one truck lane entering the port.”
Peacock cited the bridge as critical infrastructure which will support future growth for the port and the state economy.
The new 1,200-foot bridge replaces an older structure built in 2000; a second bridge is to be built in its place. When completed in 2026, S.R. 249 will provide a four-lane connection to the port.
The new bridges are part of $77 million in recent port projects including three new ship berths, two railyards, a new bulk warehouse and extensive infrastructure rehabilitation projects. The port also received federal approval to construct a new ocean container terminal, scheduled to open in 2026.
“Our goal is to provide Indiana with a modern port system that connects local businesses to the world, and our customers depend on reliable supply chains and well-maintained infrastructure,” said Ryan McCoy, port director for Ports of Indiana-Burns Harbor, in the release. “This bridge will allow us to better serve heavy-lift cargoes that were previously diverted to other routes and prepares this port for future container shipments starting in 2026. This project will also positively impact the environment by reducing congestion and idling time for vehicles, further lowering the port’s carbon footprint.”
Indiana-Burns Harbor generates $4.6 billion in annual economic activity, which supports an estimated 28,000 jobs.
Find more articles by Stuart Chirls here.
Related coverage:
Union, employers resume war of words in East Coast port contract dispute
Brokerage Compliance Symposium
The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.
F3 Awards Dinner
The night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.
F3: Future of Freight Festival
Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.
The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register NowThe night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register NowIndustry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now