rail

STB Approves LGIR Rail Line to Texas Industrial Park

The Surface Transportation Board cleared Laredo Gateway Industrial Railway to build and operate a new rail line connecting Union Pacific's main corridor between San Antonio and Laredo to the Gateway Industrial Park near Interstate 35 and State Highway 255 north of Laredo. The June 17 authorization is contingent on environmental mitigation requirements. The STB determined the line would boost competition by introducing rail service where none currently exists. The project would enable customers at the park to access alternative transportation and shift freight to rail, improving energy efficiency and lowering emissions. LGIR, a non-carrier subsidiary of Kraus Development, forecasts daily train service with 4,000 to 6,750 railcars annually. Iron Horse Resources has agreed to operate the line and will separately seek STB authority. The approval follows environmental review including a Draft Environmental Assessment released in April and a Final Environmental Assessment issued in May.