ExpressRail expansion well on track

In April, a US$40m component of the project was completed to install new support track that will double the capacity of ExpressRail Port Newark to more than 100,000 containers a year. The project will provide a 9,000 ft arrival and departure track that will improve capacity on the port’s rail network.

Construction also began on a US$51m project to build a second lead track into ExpressRail Elizabeth. The new track will allow Norfolk Southern and CSX trains to depart and arrive simultaneously into the terminal and will eliminate conflicts between road and rail traffic at the port. This project will be completed by December 2008. The ExpressRail system, when fully built, will be able to handle 1.3m containers a year.

“The volume we now handle at our ExpressRail facilities will eliminate more than 500,000 truck trips from state and local roads. Our roadway improvement programme will not only reduce congestion and air emissions, but also will increase traffic safety,” said Port Authority port commerce director Richard M. Larrabee.