Landside Access: Oshawa, Texas
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Oshawa: New Rail Spur Bolsters Port’s Cargo Competitiveness
Barely a year since its official opening, the Oshawa Port Authority’s C$4.1 million rail spur has proven its effectiveness in meeting the growing demands of businesses, most notably the steel industry. So far, the rail spur has carried 41 cars of steel to Western Canada.
"The rail spur is living up to expectations in every way," said Port Authority CEO Donna Taylor. "An intermodal, national-deep sea port is a real value added for our customers, allowing cargo arriving at our dockside to go the full distance."
The spur can also accommodate cargo too large to move by road, enabling the port to compete for project cargo, such as that generated by the planned multi-billion dollar refurbishment of the nuclear power plant in nearby Darlington (ON).
"The port has made solid gains in the past year, and there’s plenty of opportunity for growth," said Gary Valcour, chair of the Oshawa Port Authority. "With the expansion of the 407 highway for example, there’s potential to increase the port’s aggregate cargo."
The port authority says it has received expressions of interest from companies looking to take advantage of its newly added capabilities, such as the rail spur, a C$2.5 million cargo pad and 15,000 metric-ton capacity transit shed. Shippers have already made commitments to move 60,000 tons of cargo through the Port of Oshawa during the 2016 St. Lawrence Seaway season, which is scheduled to begin March 23.
"We are extremely excited by the commitments so far," said Ms. Taylor. "By all indications this year’s shipping season will get off to a tremendous start."
In 2015, the port handled 378,000 tons of cargo, an increase of nearly 6.0 percent from 2014.
$20 Million for Road Improvements at Texas Ports
The Texas Transportation Commission has approved $20 million in funding for road improvements at Texas ports to help ensure their continued contributions to the vitality of the state’s economy.
Nine port projects were selected to use just over $10 million in the state funds combined with $5 million from local and other funding sources. The remaining $10 million in state funds will be considered by the commission at a future meeting for improvements at the Port of Houston.
"Texas ports are our gateway to international trade," said Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. "The facilities in our ports are crucial and so are the roads and bridges that connect them to the rest of our country. These projects address those links between the ports and our highways, and help maintain our prominence in worldwide commerce."
"Each of the projects approved will have a benefit on its local region and contribute to the entire Texas Transportation system," said John LaRue, chairman of the Port Authority Advisory Committee and executive director of Port Corpus Christi. "The Texas ports are pleased to partner with TxDOT to improve the movement of commerce and trade, thereby creating additional economic opportunities for Texas."
The projects are included in the Unified Transportation Program recently approved by the commission and funded from Rider 48 of the General Appropriations Bill of the 84th Legislative session, which provides $20 million for port capital improvement projects recommended by the Port Authority Advisory Committee.
"Viewed individually, these nine projects are relatively small, but the impacts they have on our state’s economic vitality are very significant for the ports that they serve and the state of Texas," said Jeff Moseley, vice chairman of the Texas Transportation Commission.
Barely a year since its official opening, the Oshawa Port Authority’s C$4.1 million rail spur has proven its effectiveness in meeting the growing demands of businesses, most notably the steel industry. So far, the rail spur has carried 41 cars of steel to Western Canada.
"The rail spur is living up to expectations in every way," said Port Authority CEO Donna Taylor. "An intermodal, national-deep sea port is a real value added for our customers, allowing cargo arriving at our dockside to go the full distance."
The spur can also accommodate cargo too large to move by road, enabling the port to compete for project cargo, such as that generated by the planned multi-billion dollar refurbishment of the nuclear power plant in nearby Darlington (ON).
"The port has made solid gains in the past year, and there’s plenty of opportunity for growth," said Gary Valcour, chair of the Oshawa Port Authority. "With the expansion of the 407 highway for example, there’s potential to increase the port’s aggregate cargo."
The port authority says it has received expressions of interest from companies looking to take advantage of its newly added capabilities, such as the rail spur, a C$2.5 million cargo pad and 15,000 metric-ton capacity transit shed. Shippers have already made commitments to move 60,000 tons of cargo through the Port of Oshawa during the 2016 St. Lawrence Seaway season, which is scheduled to begin March 23.
"We are extremely excited by the commitments so far," said Ms. Taylor. "By all indications this year’s shipping season will get off to a tremendous start."
In 2015, the port handled 378,000 tons of cargo, an increase of nearly 6.0 percent from 2014.
$20 Million for Road Improvements at Texas Ports
The Texas Transportation Commission has approved $20 million in funding for road improvements at Texas ports to help ensure their continued contributions to the vitality of the state’s economy.
Nine port projects were selected to use just over $10 million in the state funds combined with $5 million from local and other funding sources. The remaining $10 million in state funds will be considered by the commission at a future meeting for improvements at the Port of Houston.
"Texas ports are our gateway to international trade," said Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. "The facilities in our ports are crucial and so are the roads and bridges that connect them to the rest of our country. These projects address those links between the ports and our highways, and help maintain our prominence in worldwide commerce."
"Each of the projects approved will have a benefit on its local region and contribute to the entire Texas Transportation system," said John LaRue, chairman of the Port Authority Advisory Committee and executive director of Port Corpus Christi. "The Texas ports are pleased to partner with TxDOT to improve the movement of commerce and trade, thereby creating additional economic opportunities for Texas."
The projects are included in the Unified Transportation Program recently approved by the commission and funded from Rider 48 of the General Appropriations Bill of the 84th Legislative session, which provides $20 million for port capital improvement projects recommended by the Port Authority Advisory Committee.
"Viewed individually, these nine projects are relatively small, but the impacts they have on our state’s economic vitality are very significant for the ports that they serve and the state of Texas," said Jeff Moseley, vice chairman of the Texas Transportation Commission.
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