A public-private partnership completed Friday a $1.2 million rail project at the Port of Stockton, allowing the facility to potentially double its volume of iron ore and coal exports, officials said.
The 5,825 feet of new track put into operation will allow the port to handle up to six ore or coal trains a week, up from the current three. It was funded by the port in partnership with Union Pacific Railroad and Metropolitan Stevedore Co.
The bulk-unit trains, typically mile-long strings of gondola cars, deliver iron ore and coal to the port for shipment to China. Each train represents additional work for rail crews, as well as about 18 longshore workers, as they move the cargo from the train onto a ship.