PORT EVERGLADES, Fla. – A 43-acre site just outside Port Everglades is where Florida East Coast Railway workers will now assemble the massive trains that carry cargo from the Port to points across the Southeast U.S.
The Intermodal Container Transfer Facility will provide relief to some Broward commuters often delayed by that process now.
"Currently today, we build our trains over at the Andrews Avenue facility," said Jim Hertwig, CEO of Florida East Coast Railway. "We build 10,000 foot trains, and unfortunately, when we build those trains we have to block State Road 84."
The $53 million facility was built by the FEC with bank loans and state grant dollars. Port Everglades contributed the $19 million parcel of land.
Not only will the site reduce the number of trucks carrying cargo from the port to the old loading facility on Andrews, but it has two separate gates. One of the gates is for international cargo coming off boats, and the other is for domestic cargo, which they say should provide a boost for area manufacturers.
"Not only will it benefit our international cargo growth, but local manufacturers, if they choose to ship their good to market for consumption, they now have another option to ship by rail," said Port Everglades director Steve Cernak.