This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
6/18/2026
The Surface Transportation Board on June 16 issued a decision authorizing the construction and operation of a 2.6-mile rail line in Webb County, Texas, by Laredo Gateway Industrial Railway LLC (LGIR).
The line will connect to Union Pacific Railroad's Laredo subdivision mainline and serve the Gateway Industrial Park, which is under development by the short line's parent company, Kraus Development. The park is located near the intersection of Interstate Highway 35 and State Highway 255 north of Laredo, Texas, STB officials said in a press release.
According to the LGIR, the rail line will serve shippers utilizing the Laredo Port of Entry for cross-border cargo. The railroad states it has entered into an agreement with Ironhorse Resources Inc. (IHR) to operate the line, and IHR will separately seek STB approval to operate on the line.
The STB determined that LGIR will increase competition by creating a new rail service option for industrial park shippers. The rail line will help divert freight traffic to rail, increasing overall energy efficiency and reducing emissions, STB officials said.