Brady working on the railroad

Congressman Brady and Port of Orange Break Ground on Intermodal Rail Project U.S. Congressman Kevin Brady (R-The Woodlands) and Port of Orange Director Gene Bouillion along with local leaders participated in a ground breaking ceremony, at 11:00 a.m., Friday, May 23 at the Port of Orange.

Brady drove a gold colored spike into the railroad track signifying the start of a new intermodal rail project to help rehabilitate the freight railroad line into the Port of Orange.

Congressman Brady secured $500,000 in federal funding for the project.

The complete $2.4 million project would rehabilitate the railway which runs from the port to the Union Pacific Line in downtown Orange.

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,” said Brady.

“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.” The funding is included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2008 which was signed into law by President Bush on Dec. 26, 2007.