Houston, TX – The Port of Houston is a 25-mile-long complex that ranks first in the country for the number of tons exported through the Port, handling 65 percent of all major U.S. export cargo. The Port contributes to over one million jobs throughout Texas while generating $178.5 billion in economic activity within the state – and freight rail helps make that possible.
At the Port of Houston alone, there are 154 miles of track surrounding the Houston ship channel, providing shippers a reliable and efficient connection to the world. Investments by fright railroads to maintain and upgrade their network help keep the Port strong and help attract additional development.
In December 2014, one of the world’s largest industrial parks, the Cedar Crossing Industrial Park in Baytown, was purchased by a partnership of local investors. One of the key reasons given for the purchase was access to both Union Pacific and BNSF Railway service. The new owners plan a major expansion of rail capacity at the Park, which was formerly a US Steel facility shut down in the mid-1980s. That type of development is why every freight railroad jobs supports an additional 4.5 jobs across the economy.
Private investments by freight railroads help connect Texas to the global marketplace and attract development – in Houston and across the state.
