Texas Gets New 13,700-Foot Industrial Rail Spur
Published Date: 6/22/2026
Notice
Summary
Laredo Gateway Industrial Railway got the green light to build and run a new 13,700-foot rail line in Webb County, Texas, inside a big new industrial park. This new track will help move goods faster for local businesses, with Iron Horse Resources set to operate the trains. The project passed environmental checks and should start soon, boosting the area's logistics without crossing public roads or causing major disruptions.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
New rail option for Park businesses
If you are a shipper or business in the Gateway Industrial Park in Webb County, Texas, a new ~13,707-foot rail line will be built inside the Park (approx. 3,300 acres) that connects to Union Pacific's Laredo Subdivision. Iron Horse Resources is set to operate the line under agreement with Laredo Gateway Industrial Railway after the Board granted the construction and operation exemption (decision dated June 16, 2026).
Diverts truck traffic to rail, reduces emissions
The Board found the new Line will facilitate diversion of some freight from truck to rail, which the decision says will increase overall energy efficiency and reduce emissions from trucks. The Final Environmental Assessment supports this environmental outcome as part of approving the project.
No new public road crossings planned
The project record states the rail Line will not cross any public rights-of-way and will connect to customers via private industrial tracks and sidings, which means it should avoid creating new public grade crossings or direct disruptions to public roads. The Board approved construction subject to environmental mitigation measures.
Environmental conditions protect birds and history
The Board adopted environmental mitigation conditions requiring LGIR to avoid clearing vegetation during migratory bird nesting season (or consult U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service if clearing then) and to follow an Unanticipated Discoveries Statement for archaeological sites, artifacts, or human remains during construction. These measures were imposed as conditions of the exemption in the Appendix to the decision.
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