Ports of Indiana-Burns Harbor starts record construction season

More than $77 million in infrastructure and expansion projects are now being developed at Ports of Indiana-Burns Harbor as a record construction season kicks off in the Lake Michigan port. 

“This port is going through a transformational multiyear expansion and the amount of construction happening right now exceeds every year since the port was built in the 1960s,” said Ports of Indiana CEO Jody Peacock.

“These are critical projects that ensure our port remains an international gateway for ocean vessels, lakers and river barges, and that our multimodal infrastructure can meet growing freight demands in the Northwest Indiana and greater Chicago market.”

Current projects at the port include:

• Development of a $25 million multimodal project: Partially funded by a $9.85 million U.S. Department of Transportation FASTLANE grant, the port is constructing three ship berths and two railyards to expand shipping capabilities and improve efficiencies. Once completed, the projects will increase port capacity for handling ocean vessels by 35% and for handling railcars by 1,200%.

• Construction of a $9 million bulk cargo facility: A new 84,000 square-foot warehouse and bulk storage area will be constructed near the East Harbor, funded in part by a $4 million U.S.DOT Maritime Administration grant from the Port Infrastructure Development Program.

• Capital investments of $8.3 million in port infrastructure.