New Rail Line Eases US-Mexico Border Truck Traffic Woes
Published Date: 4/24/2026
Notice
Summary
Green Eagle Railroad, LLC is getting the green light to build and run a new 1.3-mile double-track rail line in Maverick County, Texas, to help move trains and trucks around Eagle Pass more smoothly. This new route connects the U.S.-Mexico border bridge to Union Pacific’s rail line, easing traffic and boosting cross-border trade. The project cleared environmental reviews and is set to move forward without extra approval delays, making it a win for local commerce and transportation.
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Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
New 1.335-Mile Border Rail Link
The Surface Transportation Board authorized Green Eagle Railroad to build and operate a new 1.335-mile double-tracked rail line in Maverick County, Texas, connecting the U.S.-Mexico border bridge to Union Pacific's Eagle Pass line. The Board found the line would route rail and commercial motor vehicle traffic around downtown Eagle Pass, helping cross-border trade and local commerce and approved the project subject to environmental mitigation measures.
Eliminates At-Grade Crossing Delays
The approved Southern Rail Alternative would create a new double-tracked corridor with zero at-grade crossings between the Union Pacific connection and the border bridge, eliminating existing public at-grade crossings in Eagle Pass and removing current grade-crossing delays. The Final EIS states that eliminating these downtown crossings would remove existing severe delay impacts to 1,980 noise receptors.
Noise Effects and Required Mitigation
The Final EIS found the Southern Rail Alternative would eliminate severe noise impacts for 1,980 receptors but would cause severe noise impacts to three receptors near two bridges. OEA recommends mitigation, including installing 20-foot noise barriers and requiring GER to install noise barriers on both sides of the Barrera Street Bridge and the U.S. 277 Bridge to address those severe impacts.
Environmental Mitigation Conditions Imposed
The Board granted the exemption subject to environmental mitigation measures from the Final EIS, including measures to protect endangered species (coordination with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Section 7 compliance), archaeological surveys and construction monitoring before building bridge piers, and other recommended protections under NEPA. The Final EIS was issued on August 6, 2025 and the Board adopted its mitigation conditions.
Shippers' Costs and Competition Uncertain
Parties disagree about impacts on shippers: Union Pacific argued the Line could raise transportation costs and reduce service quality by adding a third carrier to cross-border moves, while GER and the Board said those concerns are speculative and that the Line could improve competition and reduce logistics costs. No shippers filed opposition in the record, and the Board considered shipper impacts when granting the exemption.
Construction Contingent on Carrier Agreements
GER repeatedly represented it would not begin construction unless it reaches agreements with Union Pacific and BNSF to shift their Eagle Pass traffic to the new Line; the Board relied on that representation and required GER to file a status report in six months and annual reports thereafter on project progress and negotiations. The Board also warned it may reopen the proceeding if circumstances change (for example, if the Mexican-side line is removed).
Non-Intrusive Inspection Equipment for Border Agencies
GER stated it will provide U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Mexico's customs agency (ANAM) with equipment to conduct non-intrusive inspections of rail cars crossing the border as part of the project, which the Board noted as a security and operational benefit in the record.
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