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1 Castle Inland PortCommunity Update
Presentation to the Merced City CouncilJuly 17, 2023
Castle Commerce Center
Over this past year, the Board of Supervisors’ vision was brought to life. The Board’s cornerstone projects at Castle – Autonomous Vehicle T esting and the development of a rail district saw tremendous growth.1 2 7/12/2023
2 Castle Rail Timeline
2006 2013 2022 Jan. 2023 July 2023County assumed ownership of Castle.County advances vision for Castle Commerce Center.TRC and Patriot Rail fully operational. Rail volume has tripled since May 2022.CalSTA PFIP grant released in November 2022. County submitted application in early 2023. County receives full $49.6 million grant award.SUCCESSPrivatizations, logistics, and advanced technologies Castle Inland Port- PFIP Grant Award
Project I(a): Development of 70-acres within Castle Commerce Center to support pre-shipment processing and intermodal cross-docking. ($30.2 million) Project II: Evaluation, engineering, and planning for further expansion on existing land inside Castle Commerce Center. ($1.1 million)Project I(b): Rail expansion to a new staging and container laydown area to support air cargo, cross-docking, and processing. ($18.3 million)T otal Award: $49.6 million 3 4
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3 Castle Inland Port - Preliminary DrawingsPhase 1(a)•Expansion of all underground utilities•Create “Shovel-Ready” site•Expansion of rail lines•Plans for 4 new transload buildings built by private sectorPhase 1(b)•Expansion of 13,551 feet of new track•Connects Air Cargo and CA Ports•Multimodal connection Project spurs local and regional job creation – anticipated to be in the hundreds of jobs.
Project takes trucks off our state’s highways, and places freight on rail instead.
Regional BenefitProject enhances regional air quality by reducing emissions significantly.
Project enjoys a direct relationship with the nation’s busiest seaport, the Port of Los Angeles, opening up opportunities for Valley growers, manufacturers, and producers. 5 6
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4 Atwater-Merced ExpresswayConnects Highway 99 to the Castle Rail District.
Removes trucks off residential roads.
Phase 1(b) anticipated to be complete in 2028.
Next StepsPre-Construction ActivitiesThis first phase will consist of the engineering, planning, and environmental work for the inland port. August 2023 Cross Dock Area ConstructionConstruction on the 70-acre transmodal site which consists of underground infrastructure, asphalt, and new rail lines, creating a “shovel-ready” rail park to allow private developers to construct four transload facilities.December 2024Transload Area ConstructionConstruction to connect the transload area to the airport which will consist of new rail lines. This will allow for air cargo to unload directly into rail cars.November 2024 Project Completion: 2028
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5 Thank you9