Port NOLA is to receive $96.5 million in state funding to aid expansion projects at the Napoleon Avenue Container Terminal and Jourdan Road Cold Storage Terminal.
The funds were recently approved at the recent 2022 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature and will also help support transportation projects in Orleans and St. Bernard parishes.
These initiatives aim to drive international trade, while preparing for future growth.
“On behalf of the Board of Commissioners of the Port of New Orleans, we thank Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards, Legislative leadership, and our delegation members from Orleans, Jefferson and St. Bernard parishes for their vision and support,” said Brandy D. Christian, President and CEO of Port NOLA and CEO of the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad.
“Together, these projects will position Port NOLA to take full advantage of current cargo opportunities, including serving as an alternative gateway to the West Coast, while preparing infrastructure to meet the needs of tomorrow.”
Over the coming months, Port NOLA is expected to continually invest in its existing maritime assets, namely its $1.5 billion Louisiana International Terminal, as demand for containerised cargo is projected to grow.
“The St. Bernard Transportation Corridor project will provide multiple benefits, including a route to efficiently handle cargo entering and leaving the new terminal,” continued Christian.
“This new infrastructure will also support St. Bernard Parish population growth, attract and retain industry, reduce emissions by alleviating congestion, and provide an alternate hurricane evacuation route for residents.”
Of the sum, $30.5 million has been set aside to support the complete rehabilitation of the St. Claude Avenue Bridge in the Orleans Parish. The project is said to be critical in ensuring the safe and efficient movement of vehicular and maritime traffic.
The Napoleon Avenue Container Terminal Crane Expansion Project will receive $8.1 million; completing the Legislature’s $28.1 million commitment to the overall $120 million initiative.
The investment included the installation of four new 100-gauge container gantry cranes, which arrived in December 2021. The cranes are expected to become operational next month and will allow Port NOLA to efficiently service larger ships, while complementing the terminal’s exiting cranes.
In New Orleans East, $7.9 million has been invested into the completion of Lineage Logistics’ $49 million expansion of Port NOLA’s Jourdan Road Cold Storage Terminal. This completes the state’s $11 million commitment to the project.
Under the expansion, the facility along the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal will grow from 160,000 square-feet to 304,00 square-feet.
