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 is part of a $19.7 million expansion of the port's
infrastructure that will increase cargo handling capacity and multimodal
capabilities for the Lake Michigan port.
The grants are now
subject to a 60-day review period in which Congress could vote to disapprove
any of the projects it finds objectionable. A total of $850 million was made
available under the FASTLANE program, also called the “INDFRA” grant funds
program, and $79 million was recommended for awards to small project grants.
“Indiana has one of
the premier inland ports systems in North America,” Gov. Eric Holcomb said.
“This project will increase our state's ability to attract and grow
multimodal business in Northwest Indiana. Our Lake Michigan port provides
critical access to ocean vessels, Great Lakes ships and river barges that
connect Indiana companies to the world. Further investment into this port
will only strengthen the tremendous economic impact it generates for our
state each year.”
The grant would
specifically provide partial funding for $19.7 million in infrastructure
enhancements, including the construction of a new 2.3-acre cargo terminal
with multimodal connections for handling cargo transfers between ships,
barges, rail cars, and trucks. In addition, 4.4 miles will be added to the
port's existing 14-mile rail network.
Two new rail yards
would also create rail storage for 165 rail cars, accommodate a 90-car unit
train, and provide rail car switching within the port, which will improve
operating efficiencies for port companies. 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 scope also
includes a new six-acre truck marshaling yard that will relieve congestion
along port roads.
“These investments
in Northwest Indiana will allow the Port of Indiana to increase its
multimodal freight-handling capabilities to help meet anticipated future
demand,” Ports of Indiana CEO Rich Cooper said. “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. Our
Portage port is regarded as one of the premier ports on all of the Great
Lakes because of our continued re-investments into the facility. This grant
will permit us to further accelerate our investments to help attract new
companies and new cargoes to the region.”
“Indiana’s ports
are economic drivers for our state that help create jobs and support our
state’s manufacturing,” said U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly, D-Ind. “I was proud to
support the Ports of Indiana’s application because this grant will help
Burns Harbor increase its capacity and efficiency, expanding economic
opportunities for Indiana.”
The Port of
Indiana-Burns Harbor handled nearly 2.6 million tons of cargo in 2016,
completing the highest three-year total in the port's history. Ship traffic
through the port was up 14 percent for the first six months of 2017,
compared to the same time period last year. Port operations generate an
economic impact of $4.9 billion per year and support over 39,000 total jobs.