Port of Beaumont opens terminal overpass to improve traffic flow

The Port of Beaumont, Texas, has opened its Orange County Terminal Overpass, which was designed to improve access into a liquid bulk transload facility operated by Jefferson Energy Cos.

The overpass, which opened late last month, will allow for a more efficient flow of passenger vehicles and freight trucks without impeding safe movement of railroad traffic, port officials said in a press release.

Located on the south side of Interstate 10 and east of the Neches River in Orange County, the overpass project cost $12.5 million, and was partially funded by a $6.4 million Federal Highway Administration Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Grant.

“This overpass is a significant transportation safety project that allows passenger cars to easily enter and exit the Orange County Terminal, bypassing two main line, Class I rail tracks and numerous industry tracks,” said Port Director Chris Fisher. “The overpass also addresses environmental issues associated with idling vehicles, effectively reducing carbon emissions.”

Built in 2001, the terminal is a public-private partnership between the port and Jefferson Energy. As the facility expanded from 2012, so did the need for the overpass to circumvent the main line tracks as well as several other Jefferson Energy operational lines.

The main lines are served by BNSF Railway Co., Union Pacific Railroad and Kansas City Southern.