This project will expand capacity of the ports existing industrial railroad corridor

This federal Project Grant award from the U.S. Maritime Administration (CFDA 20.933 - National Infrastructure Investments) provides $72,379,275 to the Port of Longview to expand the capacity of the port's existing industrial railroad corridor. The key components of the project include:

1. Acquiring right-of-way and property through appraisals, negotiations, and potential condemnation or long-term leasing.
2. Completing 100% engineering design and project management for the rail improvements.
3. Constructing two new 8,500-foot rail sidings, extending the current tracks by 1,000 feet, and increasing the potential for up to six rail sidings in the future. This will support full-length unit train operations.

The project aims to enhance the economic competitiveness of the Port of Longview by improving freight movement and increasing the gross tonnage of goods transported through the area. The award was granted on September 25, 2024, with a target completion date of April 30, 2032.

The improvements consist of two new approximately 8500 feet rail sidings and extension of the current tracks by approximately 1000 feet to accommodate full length unit trains. The project also includes support elements to increase the number of rail sidings from the two proposed currently to the potential of six in the future. Activities to be performed this project will expand capacity of the ports existing industrial railroad corridor. The improvements consist of two new approximately 8500 FT. Rail sidings and extension of the current tracks by approximately 1000 FT to accommodate full length unit trains. The project also includes support elements to increase the number of rail sidings from the two proposed currently to the potential of six in the future. This project includes the following three components component 1 right of way land acquisition work includes property appraisals review appraisals offer letter issuance relocation offer issuance negotiations purchase price negotiations which may include the landowner conducting their own appraisal for comparison and property purchase. If negotiations for property purchase are not complete by the time of construction the port will secure the property through administration possession and use condemnation or through a long term indefinite lease. Component 2 engineering completion of project design to 100 percent bid specifications development and completion bid review and support on contractor submittals and selection project management permit support and construction support. Component 3 construction construction includes all the components required to prepare the project site for development including demolition of existing structures relocation and reconstruction of existing utilities modification of existing drainage features EG drainage ditches culverts modification of existing stormwater facilities and excavation grading and surcharge placement to prepare the alignment for the full embankment construction. IT also includes construction of the full embankment and two track railbed that will support the expanded rail system and the facilities required to support operation of the project including track switches gravel inspection and access roads lighting an air compressor system for train brake operation a stormwater management system that includes stormwater infiltration trenches and a stormwater subdrain pump system and infiltration basin and rail crew support facilities. Deliverables expected outcomes performance measure table from attachment c page 10 of the grant agreement measure category and description measurement frequency freight movements economic competitiveness number of railcar movements over project study area. Quarterly g ross tons economic competitiveness the movement of gross tonnage of freight in the area defined by the project study area. Gross tons economic competitiveness the movement of gross tonnage of freight in the area defined by the project study area. Quarterly intended beneficiary port of longview. Subrecipient activities none.