STB releases draft environmental report for proposed rail line in Texas

The Surface Transportation Board’s (STB) Office of Environmental Analysis (OEA) late last week issued a draft environmental assessment for a proposed 2.6-mile rail line in Webb County, Texas.  

The draft document reviews the potential environmental and historic impacts of the line, which would connect to an existing Union Pacific Railroad mainline and serve a new industrial park. 

Currently under development, the Gateway Industrial Park would be located near Interstate 35 and State Highway 255, north of Laredo. 

In December 2025, Laredo Gateway Industrial Railway LLC filed a petition seeking the STB’s authorization to construct and operate the line. The company proposes to provide a rail alternative at the industrial park so commodities can be transloaded between truck and rail and then interchanged with UP to serve shippers using the port of entry at Laredo. 

The OEA invites interested parties and the public to review the draft environmental assessment. Comments on the document are due May 1.