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.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-22811, Policy Statement on Jurisdiction and Preemption Under the ICC Termination Act
The Surface Transportation Board just cleared up who’s in charge of railroads and when federal rules beat state laws, thanks to the ICC Termination Act. This new policy helps rail companies, shippers, and states understand the rules better, cutting down confusion and speeding up dispute fixes. It’s official as of November 9, 2026, making rail travel smoother and more predictable nationwide.
2026-22666, Wilkes-Barre Terminal Railway Company-Acquisition, Operation and Change of Operator Exemption-Luzerne County Redevelopment Authority and Luzerne County Rail Corporation, and R.J. Corman Railroad Company/Luzerne & Susquehanna Line, LLC
Wilkes-Barre Terminal Railway Company is stepping in to take over nearly 60 miles of rail lines in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, from local authorities and will replace the current operator, R.J. Corman Railroad Company, on part of the route. This change means WBT will run the trains and manage the tracks, aiming for smoother rail service without any immediate cost changes announced. The switch is official as of November 2026, shaking up who’s in charge of these important local railroads.
2026-22451, Kanawha River Railroad, L.L.C.-Lease Renewal and Operation Exemption With Interchange Commitment-Norfolk Southern Railway Company
Kanawha River Railroad (KRR) is renewing its lease with Norfolk Southern Railway to keep running freight trains on nine rail lines across West Virginia and Ohio. This update extends their current deal, letting KRR continue serving customers without big changes to operations or costs. The new lease kicks in after a 60-day notice to workers and unions, keeping the freight moving smoothly through 2026 and beyond.
2026-22256, Norfolk Southern Railway Company-Abandonment Exemption-in Madison County, Ohio
Norfolk Southern Railway is planning to stop using and officially abandon a short 0.96-mile rail line in Madison County, Ohio, because no trains have run there for over two years. This change affects local businesses and employees, who are protected by job safety rules. If no one steps up to save the line by December 2, 2026, the abandonment will go ahead, but there’s still time to file challenges or offers to keep it running.
2026-22232, Release of Waybill Data
Georgetown University wants to use detailed railroad shipping data from 1984 to 2026. If anyone disagrees, they have 14 days to speak up. This data release could help researchers and businesses understand shipping trends better, with no direct cost changes announced.
2026-22035, TBL Group, Inc.-Acquisition of Control-Horizon Motor Coach, Inc.
TBL Group, a big company that controls several bus services, wants to take over Horizon Motor Coach, another bus company. The Surface Transportation Board is giving a thumbs-up to this deal, as long as no one objects by December 14, 2026. If all goes well, Horizon’s bus services will keep running under TBL’s control starting December 15, 2026.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-12414, Self-Regulatory Organizations; Cboe Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Amend Rule 5.31
Cboe Exchange is updating its Rule 5.31 to improve how it starts trading for certain equity options during Global Trading Hours. This change affects traders who buy and sell these options early in the day and aims to make the opening process smoother and more efficient. The new rule took effect right away on June 16, 2026, with no extra costs involved.
Next: 2026-12418, Pesticide Product Registration; Receipt of Applications for New Active Ingredients (March 2026)
The EPA just announced it’s reviewing new pesticide ingredients that aren’t in any products yet. If you’re a farmer, gardener, or pesticide maker, this could mean new options soon! You’ve got until July 22, 2026, to share your thoughts before decisions are made—so don’t miss out on having your say.