The Intermodal Association of North America welcomed over 2,000 freight leaders to Long Beach, California for the 2022 Intermodal EXPO on September 12-14. Alongside signature networking and the Exhibit Hall showcase, the event discussions focused on the ongoing supply chain challenges and opportunities that have captured public interest.
Against the backdrop of the Port of Long Beach, Dr. Noel Hacegaba, IANA’s chairman and deputy director of the Port, kicked EXPO off by sharing a Congressional resolution recognizing Sept. 13 as “Intermodal Day”. The proclamation affirmed the intermodal industry’s contribution to the movement of freight and to a vibrant United States economy.
Intermodal EXPO’s first general session, “Inside Intermodal”, which was led by John Larkin of Clarendon Capital, offered thoughts and insights on intermodal’s directional arrows from the perspectives of 3PLs, motor carriers, rail and marine. This piece of the program also included the presentation of the Association’s three industry awards: the Silver Kingpin Award – Ted Prince; the Chairman’s Award – Jim Newsome; and the Intermodal Achievement Award – Congressman Alan Lowenthal.
Read the full release here.
On September 1, the U.S. Department of Transportation issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) announcing the
availability of over $1.4 billion in Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement (CRISI) Grant funding. The CRISI Program, which is administered by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), advances projects that modernize America’s freight and passenger rail infrastructure, allowing people and goods to move more safely and efficiently and helping make goods more affordable for American families. This year, President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law more than triples funding for the CRISI Program – a much-needed step to meet the heavy demand for rail funding from States and local communities. The program allocates at least 25% of total funds for projects in rural areas.
"Freight rail is a critical part of our supply chains, and when shipping costs come down, families pay less for goods,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. "Because of President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we're thrilled to announce the biggest-round of funding ever to make both passenger and freight trains across America safer, faster, and more reliable.”
Higher funding levels enabled by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will also accelerate progress in building up infrastructure resilience and strengthening the supply chain, which in turns makes it less expensive to transport goods. The influx of new grant opportunities will allow FRA to invest in a wide range of projects that will mitigate passenger and freight rail congestion; enhance multi-modal connections; and improve and establish new intercity passenger rail corridors. Furthermore, CRISI grants are a major source of funding for short line railroads, whose operations bolster local economies and are crucial for supply chain fluidity. These nationwide investments will advance the Department’s key goals of infrastructure safety, efficiency, economic vitality, equity, and resiliency.
“Projects funded by these CRISI grants will generate economic opportunities and improve the travel experience in communities across America, whether urban or rural, large or small,” said FRA Administrator Amit Bose. “With the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s massive boost to the CRISI Program, the funding made available will help launch our country’s new rail revolution and maintain our rail network’s unmatched standards for safety and efficiency.”
In addition to projects that improve and expand freight and passenger rail infrastructure, CRISI grants will focus on safety projects such as grade crossing enhancements and rail line relocations and improvements as well as other priorities, including workforce development and training, regional rail and corridor planning, environmental analyses, and research and deployment of railroad safety technology. New project eligibilities also include measures to prevent trespassing and to rehabilitate, remanufacture, procure, or overhaul locomotives for emissions reduction projects.
Read the full release here.
Port Tampa Bay will receive $12.6 million in grant funding, from the U.S. Department of Transportation to expand and diversify a berth at fast-growing Port Redwing. The port’s funding allocation is part of $1.5 billion in grant funding made available through the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) discretionary grant program.
Port Tampa Bay will use RAISE funding to create Berth 301 at our satellite facility, Port Redwing. The new berth will provide room for a third large ship to be worked efficiently.
“The berth 301 project will have a generational impact on our community in terms of economic development and well-paying jobs. Port Redwing has seen tremendous growth since the deepening and expansion of the Big Bend Channel. As our community continues to see record population growth, it is important to provide an efficient way to move construction and other bulk cargoes. This project optimizes supply chain economics and helps keep wear and tear on roads to a minimum,” explains Paul Anderson, Port Tampa Bay CEO & President.
In the past 12 months, the port handled over 1 million tons at Port Redwing. Port tenants and customers, including The Mosaic Company, Logistec, SESCO, Ardent Mills, and Precision Build Solutions/Tampa Tank/Florida Structural Steel. will directly benefit from this project, as they are able to diversify their operations and make long-term plans and commitments to serving our region. The project makes an important and immediate economic difference for West and Central Florida’s non-containerized industries – including cement, prilled sulfur, aggregates, steel, food and agriculture, wallboard and construction, and project cargo, among others.
Read the full release here.
On September 7, the Port of Los Angeles and a range of elected officials and industry leaders joined U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to celebrate the award of a $20 million federal RAISE infrastructure grant for a critical road-railway grade separation project at the Port.
“We’re proud to be here marking such important progress being made, but also recognizing that there is so much more to do to fix the supply chains that were torn up by the pandemic and to make them more resilient for years to come – and right here we have a great example of that,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “We are delighted to formally celebrate the award of $20 million to the Port of Los Angeles to reduce trucking delays and allow freight trains to move goods more rapidly, reducing shipping costs as part of the fight against inflation.”
Facilitating faster cargo movement, the new roadway configuration will streamline truck access to an important container and chassis-access facility on the Port’s Terminal Island, reducing traffic delays, truck dwell times and greenhouse gas emissions from idling vehicles.
“L.A.’s port isn’t just the backbone of our region’s prosperity — it’s one of America’s most powerful economic drivers, and a crossroads that helps connect our country to the rest of the world,” said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. “When complete, this roadway made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Secretary Buttigieg’s leadership will help our port move cargo more efficiently and meet our most critical sustainability goals.”
Read the full release here.