Port of South Louisiana completes Dow rail storage project

Paul Aucoin. Courtesy Port of South Louisiana

Construction of a six-track rail yard for Dow Chemical in St. Charles Parish is now complete, according to a press release issued by the Port of South Louisiana. The rail yard, located at SoLaPort, a port-owned property on the west bank of the Mississippi River, is configured to accommodate between 250 and 350 rail cars.

Constructed by Barriere Construction, the project required installation of a 2,000-square-yard, two-track railcar storage and maintenance pad and related infrastructure, including an access road from LA Highway 18, more than 27,000 feet of track connecting to the rail spur, switches to facilitate “cherry-picking” cars, security fencing along the perimeter of the leased property and lighting.

“This project is exemplary of the multi-modal opportunities along our 54-mile port jurisdiction,” says Port of South Louisiana Executive Director Paul Aucoin. Dow has entered into a 20-year lease agreement with the Port of South Louisiana, with an option to renew for an additional 10 years. See the press release.