STB Issues EIS for Proposed Maverick County, Tex., Line (UPDATED 8/6)

GER, a subsidiary of Puerto Verde Holdings (PVH), in 2023 filed a petition with the STB for authority to construct and operate the line, which would be part of an international commercial transportation corridor proposed by PVH, the Puerto Verde Global Trade Bridge project, consisting, in addition to the proposed line, of a new border crossing for commercial motor vehicles (associated CMV Facility) between Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico, and Eagle Pass, Tex.

The Draft EIS (download below) analyzes the potential environmental impacts of both the proposed rail line, which requires licensing authority from the STB, and the commercial motor vehicle crossing because they would be built as a single port of entry for freight rail and commercial motor vehicle traffic between Mexico and the United States, according to the STB. It was prepared together with the United States Coast Guard as a cooperating agency, in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act.

The Draft EIS preliminarily identifies the Southern Rail Alternative, one of two studied, as the Preferred Alternative (see map at the top of the page); it is also GER’s preferred alignment.

“OEA’s analysis showed that the beneficial and adverse impacts of the Southern Rail Alternative and those of the Northern Rail Alternative would be generally similar, with the exception of impacts on visual quality, noise, and water resources,” the OEA reported in March. “While the Southern Rail Alternative would have greater visual impacts than the Northern Rail Alternative, it would have lesser noise impacts (severe impacts on three receptors versus 12 receptors for the Northern Rail Alternative). The Southern Rail Alternative also includes only one crossing of Seco Creek, compared to four crossings for the Northern Rail Alternative, resulting in lesser potential impacts on the creek. OEA found that the Southern Rail Alternative would have fewer impacts on noise and Seco Creek when compared to the Northern Rail Alternative and that this would compensate for the greater visual impact of the Southern Rail Alternative.”

Under the Southern Rail Alternative, the proposed line would be a “secure,” double-tracked line extending between the existing UP main line at approximately milepost 31 and the United States/Mexico border, according to the OEA. This alternative would cross the Rio Grande River on a new rail bridge (New Rail Bridge), which would stand approximately 60 feet above the water line and would be about 45 feet wide. The New Rail Bridge would have only one in-water pier, on the Mexican side of the border, OEA noted. East of the Rio Grande River, this alternative would run to the south of Seco Creek. It would cross U.S. 277 (Del Rio Boulevard); Barrera Street; a concrete-lined stormwater drainage channel; and Seco Creek on four other, smaller bridges. Between bridges, this alternative would be constructed on an elevated embankment up to approximately 19 feet high and 130 feet wide. According to the OEA, other features include a non-intrusive inspection facility just past the eastern end of the New Rail Bridge; culverts; fencing; service roads; and 20-foot-high noise barriers on both sides of the tracks between the Stormwater Channel Bridge and the non-intrusive inspection facility.

The associated CMV Facility would be constructed a short distance to the north of the proposed line, on what is currently agricultural land, according to OEA. (See map of the associated CMV Facility, plus the Southern Rail Alternative below.) It would consist of a new bridge (New Road Bridge) across the Rio Grande River just north of the New Rail Bridge; a new road (CMV Road) connecting the New Road Bridge to FM 1589 (Hopedale Road); and associated border inspection facilities.

“OEA reviewed the potential environmental impacts that could result from construction and operation of the proposed line and the associated CMV Facility,” it reported in the Draft EIS. “OEA’s findings were based on consultation with federal, state, and local agencies; input from GER and the public; and OEA’s own independent analyses. OEA is preliminarily recommending mitigation for the following resource areas: noise, cultural resources, and biological resources. OEA is not recommending mitigation for other resource areas because impacts would be beneficial; they would be minor and minimized through compliance with applicable laws and regulations; or they cannot feasibly and reasonably be mitigated.”

OEA accepted comments on all aspects of the Draft EIS through May 5, 2025. It also held three public meetings: two in-person on April 29 and one virtual on May 1.

OEA on Aug. 6 issued a Final EIS, which responds to comments received on the Draft EIS and sets forth OEA’s final recommendations, including final recommended mitigation measures, to the STB (download Final EIS documents below). Issuance of the Final EIS completes the Board’s environmental review for this project.

“Between March 14 and June 2, 2025, OEA received 104 written or verbal comment submissions (a
single submission may contain several comments) from 92 unique commenters,” it reported in the Final EIS. “Commenters included members of the public and representatives of agencies and organizations. Some individuals, agencies, or organizations commented more than once or in more than one format. OEA reviewed all the comments, including, where applicable, their attachments. OEA’s review of the 104 written and verbal submissions received identified 50 substantive comments from 41 commenters. Responses to the substantive comments are provided in Appendix O of this Final EIS. Changes that OEA made to the text of the Draft EIS in response to the comments are shown in tracked changes (underlined or crossed-out). None of the comments required additional analysis or substantive changes to the text of the Draft EIS.” The Final EIS also sets forth OEA’s final recommended environmental mitigation measures, OEA noted.

In reaching its decision on whether to grant GER’s request for authority to construct and operate the
proposed line, the STB will consider the Draft EIS, the Final EIS, public comments, and the final environmental mitigation recommended by OEA, as well as the record on the transportation
merits.