Yahoo Finance Verdigris Southern Railroad open for business
Apr. 17—Officials at the Tulsa Port of Inola in southern Rogers County have confirmed the new Verdigris Southern Railroad line, connecting the industrial park to the Union Pacific Railroad, is open for business.
The new 4.4-mile railroad officially began operating Wednesday, April 10, with an early shipment of raw materials. This concludes a multiyear project to expand and improve shipping capabilities for the park.
Construction of the line was officially completed March 29. The first delivery on the morning of April 10 included seven rail cars of raw materials delivered to Sofidel, an Italian-based paper manufacturer. The rail cars originated near Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada.
"Sofidel America is proud to be in the partnership with Tulsa Ports, Rogers County, Watco and the state of Oklahoma to achieve this milestone for the Tulsa Port of Inola," Jose Zarandona, regional operations manager at Sofidel America, said in statement released by the Tulsa Port office. "As the keystone manufacturer at the industrial park, our business will be a significant beneficiary of the efficient freight delivery this railroad connection provides."
Rogers County Commissioner Ron Burrows, who visited the site Thursday, said it is "first class." The completion of this rail infrastructure is just one more step toward the "tremendous growth" Rogers County and Inola officials expect to follow, he said.
The Verdigris Southern Railroad connects Union Pacific to the Tulsa Port of Inola.
The four-year, $18 million project was championed by numerous public and private entities, including Tulsa Ports, the U.S. Department of Transportation, U.S. Maritime Administration, Watco Companies, Rogers County, Sofidel America, Oklahoma Department of Transportation, Oklahoma Department of Commerce and the Union Pacific Railroad.
"We are proud to have these unique transportation assets in our county," Burrows said.
His county district is home to the largest industrial, intermodal and international shipping complex in Oklahoma now stretching along the Verdigris River from Catoosa to Inola. More than 3,000 workers are employed within 70 businesses.
"Today marks a pivotal moment in our journey toward economic prosperity and growth at the Tulsa Port of Inola," said David Yarbrough, executive director of Tulsa Ports. "With the operation of this new rail spur, we open doors to enhanced shipping capabilities for our current companies and extend a welcoming hand to future partners seeking a strategic location to grow their business in our region."
In 2019, the Tulsa Port of Inola opened after the Public Service Co. of Oklahoma entrusted Tulsa Ports with the future development of the site through a land transfer of approximately 2,200 acres of industrial land in Inola, Oklahoma. The completion of this rail spur was a key component in the port's agreement with PSO to acquire and develop the land for future economic growth.
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Learn more: https://tulsaports.com/
