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Through a public-private partnership with Union Pacific Railroad and Metro Ports, the Port of Stockton, Calif., recently completed 5,828 feet of track, which was added to east port interchange tracks. To enter service on Friday, the new track forms a loop to enable inbound and outbound trains to operate without interfering with operations at the port’s east complex class yard.

The track extensions also will enable the port to begin receiving three more bulk unit trains of export iron ore or coal per week, increasing weekly capacity to six unit trains. In addition, the tracks will improve interchanges between UP, BNSF Railway Co. and the Central California Traction Co., and reduce rail equipment dwell time at the port.

The track was constructed by Industrial Railways Construction Co. and completed in 100 days, 20 days ahead of schedule.

Because of the expansion, the port plans to employ up to 18 additional daily workers. The project was funded by the port, UP and Metro Ports, and managed by Central California Traction, which serves the port on behalf of BNSF and UP.

The Port of Stockton and Port of Richmond, Calif., currently handle five trains of export iron ore per week. The facilities currently are the only U.S. West Coast ports that handle export iron ore.