Jeffersonville, IN Railyards

Overview of the Intermodal Railyards

The Port of Indiana-Jeffersonville rail terminal complex is anchored by the Louisville & Indiana Railroad’s Jeffersonville 300 Yard, a 350-car near-dock railyard serving 27 companies, including 15 steel-related businesses, with direct connections to CSX, Norfolk Southern, and Canadian National. The terminal handles steel, agriculture, minerals, and bulk commodities, supporting advanced manufacturing and distribution.

Intermodal and specialized facilities at Jeffersonville include on-dock rail and truck transload terminals, a modern transload yard, and Foreign Trade Zone 170. The port’s infrastructure enables seamless transfer between barge, rail, and truck, with heavy-haul roads and direct interstate access to Louisville, Cincinnati, and Nashville.

Market Size and Economic Impact

The Port of Indiana-Jeffersonville handled over 2.2 million tons of cargo in 2016, with annual volumes consistently exceeding 2 million tons. The port’s economic impact surpasses $1.5 billion annually, supporting more than 2,500 direct and indirect jobs and ranking among the top inland ports in the Midwest for steel and agricultural throughput.

Competitive Landscape

• Louisville & Indiana Railroad: Operates Jeffersonville 300 Yard with 4,700-foot tracks, serving steel, plastics, and grain shippers
• CSX and Norfolk Southern: Provide Class I interchange, connecting Jeffersonville to national and cross-border rail networks
• Port of Indiana-Jeffersonville: Hosts 27 companies, 15 steel processors, and advanced logistics infrastructure for multimodal cargo

Opportunities

• Automotive Supply Chain: Proximity to Ford’s Kentucky Truck Plant and regional OEMs drives steel and component shipments
• Steel Industry Growth: Expansion of steel processing and wire rod centers attracts new manufacturing investment
• Multimodal Logistics: Enhanced barge-rail-truck connectivity positions Jeffersonville as a Midwest distribution hub

Challenges

• Rail Congestion: Increasing steel and grain volumes challenge yard capacity and switching efficiency
• Infrastructure Aging: Ongoing need for track and facility upgrades to support modern logistics demands
• Competitive Pressure: Regional ports and rail hubs vie for manufacturing and distribution center investments

Trade and Logistics Trends

• Steel Shipments: Strong demand from automotive and construction sectors boosts inbound and outbound steel
• Grain Exports: Steady agricultural railcar volumes support Midwest grain and fertilizer trade
• Regional Distribution: Growth in plastics, aluminum, and bulk cargo for regional and national markets

Future Outlook

• Yard Expansion: Planned investments in additional yard tracks and transload capacity to accommodate rising volumes
• Digital Systems: Implementation of yard management and cargo tracking technology for operational efficiency
• Green Logistics: Initiatives to reduce emissions and enhance sustainable multimodal transportation

Recommendations

• Capacity Upgrades: Expand railyard and transload infrastructure to support projected cargo growth
• Technology Integration: Deploy advanced yard management and cargo tracking systems for efficiency
• Workforce Development: Invest in training and recruitment to support logistics and manufacturing sector growth