The New Orleans Public Belt Railroad (NOPB) has announced significant progress on two key infrastructure enhancement projects: the Transloading Industrial Park and the Claiborne Yard expansion.
Located off Jourdan Road in New Orleans East, the NOPB Transloading Industrial Park will facilitate more efficient freight movement between truck and rail into America’s heartland.
In addition, owned by the Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA), this site will provide a new customer for NOPB with cost-effective shipping options, opening new markets and stimulating regional economic growth.
Earlier this year, the NOPB Board of Commissioners awarded a US$2.2 million contract to Cycle Construction Company LLC for the transload yard’s construction. Since breaking ground in April, construction is now over 85% complete, with full completion expected in August. The yard will have the capacity to service up to 21 railcars.
“We are laser-focused on growing the economy and bringing even more jobs to our region. Infrastructure investments like this allow us to do just that while also moving products more efficiently through the global supply chain,” stated Ronald Wendel, Acting Port NOLA President & CEO and Acting NOPB CEO.
The total project cost of US$3 million is funded by a US$1.5 million grant from the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) Shortline Railroad Priority Program, matched by US$1.5 million from NOPB.
The US Department of Transportation awarded NOPB US$7.29 million in 2020 through the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Grant to support additional railyard space and the implementation of automated switching technology.
The final phase, the Claiborne Yard expansion near the St. Claude area, will add four storage tracks and additional infrastructure for more efficient train operations and transloading services. This project, which began in April, is also expected to be completed later this month.
In June, Port NOLA and NOPB reported double-digit growth in intermodal rail volumes. Port NOLA’s expanding intermodal service and efficient global and inland connections ensure goods reach homes nationwide, businesses move products efficiently, and economic prosperity and job creation in the state and region continue, according to the port’s announcement.
Furthermore, Port NOLA announced record container growth, handling 133,845 TEUs in the third quarter of fiscal year 2024 (January-March). This 19% year-over-year increase marks a record quarter, surpassing container volume levels seen since the supply chain disruptions in 2021.
