The New Orleans Public Belt Railroad (NOPB) has made progress on two infrastructure enhancement projects, the transloading industrial park and the Claiborne yard expansion.

The NOPB transloading industrial park off Jourdan Road in New Orleans East will serve as a site for shippers to move freight between truck and rail into heartland USA. The property, which is owned by the port of New Orleans, will open up shipping options and new markets.

Earlier this year, the NOPB Board of Commissioners awarded a USD2.2 million contract to Cycle Construction Company for construction on the transload yard.

Since breaking ground in April, construction has been progressing and is now more than 85 percent complete. The entire project is expected to be completed in August and will have the capacity to service up to 21 railcars.

The total cost is USD3 million and will be funded by a USD1.5 million grant from the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development shortline railroad priority program as well as a USD1.5 million funding match from NOPB.

The Department of Transportation awarded NOPB USD7.29 million in 2020 as part of the consolidated rail infrastructure and safety improvements grant to help fund the additional railyard space and the deployment of automated switching technology.

The last phase is the Claiborne yard expansion near the St. Claude area, which will add four additional storage tracks, additional infrastructure for more efficient train operations and transloading for new or existing customers. This too will be completed at the end of August.

Topics