Port of Corpus Christi opens first phase of Nueces River Rail Yard

Written by Jenifer Nunez, assistant editor
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Port Corpus Christi opened Phase 1 of the Nueces River Rail Yard (NRRY) April 10.

 

As rail traffic increased dramatically over recent years at Port Corpus Christi, The Nueces River Rail Yard was conceived in a realization of the critical impact efficient rail service provides for port operations, existing customers and future customers. As part of a Port Corpus Christi Rail Master Plan, a new main interchange yard at the west end of the Inner Harbor was identified as a number one priority.

“The expansion of the port’s capabilities is an important logistical project and a critical component to the port’s strategic diversification efforts. The Nueces River Rail Yard will support the unprecedented regional growth and expand our capabilities in moving goods for new and already established industries around the Port,” said Judy Hawley, port commission chair.

The Nueces River Rail Yard project includes a 9,920-foot long unit train siding capable of storing a full 160-car unit train siding adjacent to the Fulton Corridor Lead track that serves Port Industries. The yard will initially consist of four parallel ladder tracks for a total yard capacity of 15,300 feet and 253 rail cars. The new yard is expected to greatly improve efficiency of existing cargo movement at Port Corpus Christi’s multimodal facilities.

“This new facility will make the port more competitive and more environmentally friendly. This is a great public private partnership that will make rail operations more efficient between the UP and the Port of Corpus Christi. This is a long term investment in the Nueces area for current and future business growth,” said UP’s Director of Gulf Ports Tyson Moeller.

With a scheduled completion by year-end 2016, phase 2 capacity will increase the NRRY to eight, 8,000-foot-long unit train sidings.

 

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