New Jersey Port Getting Rail Upgrades

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey approved redevelopment of Greenville Yard that will include a new ExpressRail facility that will support the adjacent Global Marine Terminal. This will allow the terminal to ship and receive containerized cargo by rail, a capability that it lacks today, the Port Authority says in a release.

A series of improvements to the cross-harbor car float system operated by NY-NJ Rail that moves freight more efficiently by both water and rail between New Jersey and markets east of the Hudson River, including New York City and Long Island, have also been approved.

The total program cost is approximately USD 356 million, of which the Port Authority will contribute approximately USD 320 million and approximately USD 36 million will be contributed by third-party stakeholders.

Cargo coming on and off the Global Terminal today is transported to and from its final destination primarily by truck. The new facility will allow for transloading of containerized cargo from ship to rail, offering ocean carriers and their customers a more efficient and environmentally-friendly option for goods movement. The facility will have an initial capacity of at least 125,000 cargo container lifts a year, and is expected to be operational on or about July 2016.

In addition, the program calls for a significant upgrade to the NY-NJ Rail operation, which is owned by the Port Authority and operates the last cross-harbor car float system on the Hudson River. The program, when completed, will provide significant environmental benefits, including reductions to vehicle travel time, fuel consumption and a reduction in air emissions.

As a result of the projects, 1.6 million metric tons of carbon monoxide emissions will be avoided over a 30 year period, 142 million gallons of diesel fuel will be saved and 17.1 million truck trips on local roads will be avoided.

“The investment that we’re making in the Greenville Yards project demonstrates the Port Authority’s commitment to a cleaner, more efficient movement of freight while improving the competitiveness of our port business,” said Port Authority Vice Chairman Scott Rechler.

“This project will reduce the number of trucks on our highways and curb harmful emissions while maximizing the use of our waterways and freight rail system to reduce traffic congestion and to improve the quality of life for those who live and work in the region.”

The new ExpressRail Port Jersey includes the construction of approximately 10,000 feet of working track, 32,000 feet of support track and switches and infrastructure to support rail-mounted gantry cranes at the facility.

The upgrades to the New York-New Jersey carfloat system include construction of up to two new transfer bridges at Greenville and related lead and support tracks; the purchase of two larger car floats, each with the capability of transporting 18 rail cars; and the purchase of up to four new, ultra low emission locomotives to replace existing ones that have outlived their useful lives.