Port of Victoria Receives $20M for Rail Infrastructure Project

Port of Victoria- Turning Basin and North Site

Courtesy of Sean Stibich

VICTORIA COUNTY, Texas – the Victoria County Navigational District received $20 million in the form of a state grant for a rail infrastructure project.

Yesterday, the Victoria County Navigational District received $20 million in the form of a state grant for a rail project. The grant comes from the Maritime Infrastructure Program grant from the Texas Department of Transportation, and it will go toward “a $26.4-million rail infrastructure project at the Texas Logistics Center at the Port of Victoria,” according to Victoria Advocate. In addition to the state grant, both the Victoria Sales Tax Development Corporation and the Victoria County are contributing $3 million each.

Robby Burdge, the port Chairman, said: “This is the largest grant the Port has ever received, and we are extremely thankful for the financial contributions and teamwork from both our state and local partners, which have made this project possible. . . Our recent hard work and improvements have paid off, with multiple green energy projects expressing interest in Victoria. This project will further solidify our position as an industry leader for years to come.”

Next year, the first phase is set to begin and is expected to be completed after a year. This first phase includes adding 42,000 feet of track along with three 10,000-foot drop-and-pull tracks. Subsequent phases will include “storage tracks, transloading operations, and connections to new tenants.” Once this is completed, BNSF and UP will serve the Texas Logistics Center.

Along with the $20 million state grant, the port will also receive a grant from the state transportation department totaling $1.57 million. This grant will go toward the North Site Access Road and Transloading Project, which is expected to cost $1.98 million.

Victoria County Judge, Ben Zeller, commented that the “port has always had a great return on investment for our community by consistently bringing in new jobs and businesses. . . Commissioners Court puts a high value on building our local economy and we saw this project as another great opportunity to do just that.” The Mayor of Victoria, Jeff Bauknight agreed, stating: “The city prioritizes interlocal collaboration to attract new industries and enhance local infrastructure.” The project “fulfills those objectives,” said Bauknight.

Overall, the port will receive close to $28 million in grants. Currently, the port has 610+ acres under option and is “engaged in advanced negotiations with projects for another 175 acres.”