(The following report appeared on the Orange Leader website on July 27.)
ORANGE, Texas — The Port of Orange is back on track after the U.S. House of Representatives authorized $500,000 in federal funding to help rehabilitate the freight railroad line into the port.
Port officials earlier this year asked U.S. Rep. Kevin Brady, R-The Woodlands, to once again help find funding for the $2.4 million project which runs from the port to the Union Pacific Line in downtown Orange. Brady had secured $500,000 last year that was subsequently dropped when new House and Senate leadership passed a continuing resolution for the budget opting not to fund any of the congressionally approved projects for 2007.
The existing railroad track, which transports goods coming into the Port of Orange for shipment across the country, floods and is dangerous, as demonstrated by Hurricane Rita.
“This is a jobs issue. Rehabilitating the track will allow the Port of Orange to provide increased service to new customers and to continue job growth in Orange County,” Brady said. “This isn’t all the money we requested, but this down payment shows that Congress recognizes the importance of a modern infrastructure for the port of Orange.”
Brady toured the port earlier this year to view the rail project and to see on-going Port security enhancements. During that meeting, local leaders spoke to Brady about the economic importance of improving the rail infrastructure. Representatives of chemical row, shipbuilding and other vital local businesses asked for Brady’s continued support for the port, including transportation infrastructure upgrades like the rail project.
The funding is included in the Transportation – Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill for 2008, which passed the House Wednesday night. The measure next goes to the Senate for consideration.