News & Updates
Three South Florida Congressional Reps support Port of Palm Beach rail expansion
The Port of Palm Beach plans to expand its rail infrastructure if awarded a $1.2 million Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements grant by the U.S. Department of Transportation. This will allow the port to more than double its intermodal rail capacity from 44,000 TEUs per year to 95,000 TEUs per year. The project will replace old rail with new, relocate the truck interchange, and install new radiation portal monitors for increased security, all of which will allow for more efficient operations.
This month, Port Executive Director Manuel Almira, traveled to Washington D.C. to speak with members of Congress about how the rail project benefits the local economy.
“We believe expanding our rail infrastructure will have positive effects on our economic growth. For one, we will see a significant boost in our cargo movement and increase operational efficiencies. The project will also create at least 105 direct jobs and will take 29,000 truck trips per year off of I-95,” said Manuel Almira, Port Executive Director.
There are numerous supporters of the rail project including our board of commissioners, port tenant, Tropical Shipping, Palm Beach County, the City of Riviera Beach, Florida Ports Council and Florida East Coast Railway. This month, the port received a letter of support from three South Florida Congressional Representatives, U.S. Representatives Alcee Hastings, Lois Frankel and Ted Deutch.