Port of Longview initiates rail study, taps Clay to head business development

The Port of Longview, Washington, recently approved a measure to spend up to $250,000 on a rail expansion and infrastructure redevelopment study.

KPFF Consulting Engineers Inc. will conduct the study. The port's strategic business plan includes several redevelopment projects, including an expansion and reconfiguration of its rail networks, the redevelopment of a berth and relocation of its main office.

Served by BNSF Railway Co. and Union Pacific Railroad, the port manages a 1.5-mile industrial rail corridor that allows inbound trains to arrive without long waits. In addition, the port has trackage and switch engines to accommodate rail-car transloading and ship-to-rail or rail-to-ship loading.

Meanwhile, the port earlier this month named Christian Clay director of business development. He will be responsible for developing long-range business plans that align the port's infrastructure and assets with growing and emerging markets. Clay also will manage commercial properties and tenant relations.

He has more than 20 years of rail industry experience, most recently as a senior national account manager for BNSF. Clay has strong experience in supply chain management, market research and customer relations, port officials said in a press release.

"His skill set directly complements our existing team and will allow the port to successfully meet growing business demands," said Chief Operating Officer Dan Stahl.