Infrastructure Expansion: Indiana-Burns Harbor
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U.S. DOT Recommends $9.85 Million FASTLANE Grant for Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor
The U.S. Department of Transportation has recommended to Congress that the Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor receive one of 10 FASTLANE small project grants for 2017. The $9.85 million discretionary grant will help finance a $19.7 million expansion of the Lake Michigan port’s cargo handling and multimodal capabilities.
Congress has 60 days to disapprove any of the projects it finds objectionable.
The grant would be used to partially fund the construction of a 2.3-acre cargo terminal with multimodal connections to facilitate cargo transfers between ships, barges, rail cars and trucks. The project would also add 4.4 miles to the port's 14-mile rail network and two new rail yards, creating storage for 165 rail cars, space for a 90-car unit train and allowing rail car switching within the port.
Improvements to the west dock, including extending a retaining wall and paving a dock apron, will result in an additional 1,200 feet of usable dock space. The project also includes a new six-acre truck marshalling yard.
The U.S. Department of Transportation has recommended to Congress that the Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor receive one of 10 FASTLANE small project grants for 2017. The $9.85 million discretionary grant will help finance a $19.7 million expansion of the Lake Michigan port’s cargo handling and multimodal capabilities.
Congress has 60 days to disapprove any of the projects it finds objectionable.
The grant would be used to partially fund the construction of a 2.3-acre cargo terminal with multimodal connections to facilitate cargo transfers between ships, barges, rail cars and trucks. The project would also add 4.4 miles to the port's 14-mile rail network and two new rail yards, creating storage for 165 rail cars, space for a 90-car unit train and allowing rail car switching within the port.
Improvements to the west dock, including extending a retaining wall and paving a dock apron, will result in an additional 1,200 feet of usable dock space. The project also includes a new six-acre truck marshalling yard.
"These investments in Northwest Indiana will allow the Port of Indiana to increase its multimodal freight-handling capabilities to help meet anticipated future demand," said Ports of Indiana CEO Rich Cooper. "Our port companies and stevedores will benefit tremendously with this significant new infrastructure investment that will enhance productivity and efficiency for those who rely on the port's water, rail and highway connections. This grant will permit us to further accelerate our investments to help attract new companies and new cargoes to the region."
The Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor handled nearly 2.6 million tons of bulk and breakbulk cargo in 2016. Six months into the 2017 season, ship traffic is up 14 percent compared to last year.
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