Texas port to lease land for short line's proposed bulk container terminal

On Dec. 28, the Port of Galveston’s board agreed to forge a lease agreement with Texas, Mexico & Pacific Railroad L.L.C. concerning 185 acres on Pelican Island as the site for a proposed bulk cargo container terminal.

Texas, Mexico & Pacific Railroad would operate an intermodal hub connecting Pelican Island via a bridge across the Galveston Ship Channel to BNSF Railway Co. and Union Pacific Railroad lines that link the island to the mainland.

The port and short line have been studying the feasibility of creating a rail connection between Pelican Island and Class I lines serving Galveston.

In September, Galveston County commissioners agreed with Texas, Mexico & Pacific’s request to create a rural rail transportation district.