MG Rail complete $1.1 million in road and rail improvements at Jeffersonville port

JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. (Dec. 13, 2023) – Infrastructure investments surpassing $1.1 million were recently completed at Ports of Indiana-Jeffersonville through a yearlong series of road and rail projects by Ports of Indiana and MG Rail, the port’s rail switcher.

“We strive to maintain first-class infrastructure and facilities to support the economic growth of our customers and the regional economy,” said Port Director George Ott. “Ports of Indiana-Jeffersonville and MG Rail partner to provide a vital link in the supply chain for numerous multimodal companies throughout the Midwest.”

Port capital projects included pavement work, milling and repaving nearly 94,500 square feet of dockside transload area – or an area greater than one-and-a-half football fields.

MG Rail’s rail work included preventative maintenance on rail track along the existing main line and within the port’s switching yard, and rail upgrades along the waterfront.  

“Maintaining safe and efficient operations is critical to the success of our railroad and for the businesses located at the port,” said Chuck Long, a representative of Consolidated Grain and Barge Co. (CGB). MG Rail is owned by CGB, which operates a large grain elevator and bulk cargo terminal at the port. “We take great pride in our partnership with Ports of Indiana as we both work to provide the infrastructure and services that local businesses need to survive and grow well into the future.”

To maintain top rail right-of-way standards, MG Rail renewed more than more than 7 miles of track along with 24 switches. Crews also installed 1,500 tons of ballast and nearly 1,400 crossties throughout the port.

Ports of Indiana and MG Rail partnered to complete upgrades to the dockside area with careful coordination. Once port contractors removed the old asphalt, rail crews went to work replacing 1,200 feet of worn 105-pound rail with newer 115-pound rail that easily accommodates modern 286,000-pound railcars carrying steel, grain and other cargos.

The Jeffersonville port opened in 1985 and generates $2.5 billion in annual economic impacts for the regional economy.

To download hi-res images from the gallery:
Sunset dock overview | New uncovered transload | New crossing installation |
Covered crane-transload | Paving around new rail