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. Unit trains are increasingly used for shipment of grain, sand, rock, liquids, and other similar cargo. The new rail interchange, Nueces River Rail Yard, will initially consist of four parallel ladder tracks for a total yard capacity of 15,300 feet and 253 rail cars. This new rail yard will greatly improve efficiency of existing cargo movement at Port Corpus Christi’s multimodal facilities.