New York, New Jersey port authority marks 5 million milestone for ExpressRail containers

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey's (PANYNJ) ExpressRail service recently registered its 5 millionth container since the authority's first rail facility opened in 1991.

ExpressRail serves New York and New Jersey marine terminals. Through May, the service logged 5,033,047 containers moved by the rail system over the past 22 years.

The 5 million containers handled by ExpressRail diverted more than 8 million truck trips from the region's highways, PANYNJ officials said in a press release.

"We're proud of the phenomenal growth of our port rail business that provide shippers with a modern, cost effective and environmentally friendly way to move their goods to market," said Executive Director Pat Foye.

Since 1991, the authority has spent $600 million on various infrastructure improvements, including an expansion of the original terminal to an 18-track facility, a new second lead track at the ExpressRail Elizabeth facility, a new rail support facility along Corbin Street that can handle four 10,000-foot trains daily and the construction of a bridge to link the Port Newark Container Terminal with a nearby rail facility.